Speaking out on a cultural issue - Individual Contributor Kite Pharma Employee Review

1.0
Sep 5, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Cutting-edge science; co-workers are passionate about the company's mission

Cons

Unfortunately, there is an unspoken cultural issue within a certain group. For more than a year, I was bullied for simply carrying out my assigned duties, by an individual in a position of authority. This individual was a constant threat to my psychological well-being, through his yelling, harsh criticism, hindering vital job-related information, and demeaning remarks. It became apparent that his toxicity was personal, as I was singled out in both private and in public settings. Despite my repeated effort to forge a relationship with this individual, the situation persisted. This experience left me extremely stressed and traumatized; I regret not escalating it in time due to the fear of retaliation. Eventually, this person succeeded at his ability to manipulate the organization and even got a promotion. For anyone interested, I have since joined a much healthier company where culture is highly valued. I'm once again able to do my best work, enjoying making a positive impact, knowing that all employee's safety counts.

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Kite Pharma Response
3y
Hi, this is Cara Bauer, Kite’s Global Head of Human Resources. Gilead and Kite are committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct in all of our activities. Integrity and doing what’s right are part of our Core Values, and we take these commitments very seriously. Employees should always reach out to their manager or Human Resources should they wish to discuss an issue; they can also reach our Global Ethics Hotline 24/7 if they wish to report an issue anonymously or ask a question about any of our policies. My door is always open for a confidential conversation. Please send me an email so we can set up time to discuss some of the comments in your review.

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5.0
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Pros

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Cons

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1.0
Jun 16, 2026
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Pros

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Cons

The work environment is extremely toxic and hostile towards those that are efficient and good at their responsibilities and roles. The workplace favors extreme incompetence across manufacturing, technical training and quality departments. I’ve never seen a company where associates can get into physical altercations and still keep their jobs. The people leaders that tried to hide that altercation should be cut immediately but that’s not what they like to do over at kite pharma where instead of focusing on the cure they like to focus on other people’s bodies. They like to reward incompetence with less responsibilities and praise while those who are competent enough get reprimanded with made up lies. There’s no point in providing feedback to the people leaders because they will twist your words in order to make it so that it looks like you are going against their precious core values. It doesn’t matter what you say because once they’ve made up their minds that you’re not exhibiting enough teamwork and inclusion then that’s it. If you’re not competent enough at your job then for sure there will big bonuses and raises waiting at year end review. People leaders will absolutely twist and turn the HR processes that are designed to protect personnel against them. There’s a lot of heavy abuse when it comes to making a complaint against any individual. Lots of biases involved since it seems that no one at this company have friends outside of work so they take everything as a personal attack on their “friends”. Lots of individuals needs to be tiptoed around on eggshells or they might get offended at the slightest breeze, people leaders don’t see that these people are the problem but insist on turning a blind eye labeling it as anti-inclusive , anti-teamwork, anti-collaboration and whatnot. Never know when the next person is going to get offended and start acting like they have been a victim their entire life

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