Great people, great CEO...upper management 👎🏽 - Research Scientist Merck Employee Review

3.0
May 28, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The focus on science, the passion of the scientist. The desire to really try to stem human suffering with advancements in science. Merck has a long history of pharma development and the current CEO is focused on early drug development. I cannot stress how dedicated the scientist here are.

Cons

Upper management should be ashamed of themselves. The lack of communication is appauling. The constant "we don't know yet" or "we are still working that out" sows not only confusion but uncertainty. The lack of promotions...I could go on about this for pages but I'll leave is with "don't expect one" the refrain that I have heard for years is always the same, there is always some reason why they can't or more likely won't. Even when the company does better that expected things are still "right right now." I may sound disgruntled but I actually love working at Merck...it's just frustrating...very frustrating having to deal with upper management.

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5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent company to work with.

Cons

No cons encountered so far

4.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits like medical/dentist/vision, pension, stock option, 401k match. Co workers are excellent, pretty good on site symposiums, lot of diversity clubs/activities. Innovation is extremely welcomed. Diversity in research portfolio. AI/ML is heavily invested to make databases more efficient.

Cons

Micro managing, especially within the biologics department, potentially others. Promotions are limited, and pay bump is poor. Company invests too much in buying companies rather than keeping talent - lay offs let go of great talented people. Merck is afraid of investing into exploratory biology and doesn’t take risk - they even admit they would rather see other companies clinical data or R&D data rather than taking a risk. Although it’s slow going in building new software, current databases are slow and needs much improvement. Extremely poor work/life balance.

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