1) Even though Gilead Corporate has management tools available it seems as if little to none of the managers have taken a class in management or even understand the fundamentals.
2)Leadership does not exist. Every time without fail when an employee starts to show leadership potential they force them out (GP, CW, YX, SD(G), YG, JW, CM, GM, SH) and many many more! There is definitely a feeling that those in the "manager" band feel threatened by their employees attempts to move up, take more responsibility, and blaze their own trail. Often the employees MUST create their own path because there is no direction given to the employees or if there is direction it changes daily (not exaggerating).
3) The lack of leadership and management is supported by the worst HR department I have ever worked with. HR is very anti-employee and unprofessional and seems to take delight in stomping on the little girl, or guy for that matter.
4)Worst internal promotion system I have ever seen. Gilead Oceanside does not promote from within. It takes 2-3 years of having exceeded ratings and approval by all the other managers to get promoted (unless you are HR of course). It is a popularity contest. For corporate Gilead one could get promoted at mid-year or at the end of the year. For Gilead Oceanside you can only get promoted at year end because "we don't promote at mid-year here" ....WHAT?....Very few exceptions are made for this unwritten rule. That's right, if you ask for the written policy it will never be provided. Another example: Pretend you have someone above you in your department leave or an opening is created that is only 1 level above you. One might think that you could apply and have a reasonable chance of getting the position because you have been with the company for 5 years, you are already doing the job, and you have exceeded or better performance reviews. NO...No no no. You will never get the job because "it is something we just don't do". Gilead would much rather hire externally and in many cases place someone with ZERO experience in that position and expect you to train them. Do not go to this location and expect to climb the ladder...that is unless you are part of the old guard from Genentech.
5) The QA department over regulates instead of regulating smartly causing deviation after deviation after deviation. A large portion is also very cliquey and if you are not from PR....
6) They do not take the Security of the employees or the facility seriously. There have been multiple instances of drunken vagrants on the property, thefts, vandalism, people using drugs, and even an attempted assault on a scientist where a trespasser pick up a chair and tried to smash a window to get to the scientist. The Gilead Manager in charge of Security keeps changing but the policies do not. They refuse to restrict access to the facility by means of a fence (every other company in the area has one for a reason), every time the security team starts to make progress the head security officer gets fired from the company (the last one when he was on vacation). Gilead Oceanside will continue to wait until something serious happens and then react, like always.
7) Frankly I am getting tired of writing the cons as they could continue for quite a bit. If you are the type to put your head down, love micromanagement, keep mouth shut, and collect a paycheck this is the place for you. If you ask why, attempt any continuous improvement initiatives or show any sort of leadership and ambition...run away. Just run away.
