Novartis reviews

4.0

80% would recommend to a friend

(9,044 total reviews)
avatar

Vas Narasimhan

86% approve of CEO

69% positive business outlook

Novartis has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 9,044 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Novartis employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

9K reviews
2.0
Dec 29, 2013

IT management

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I worked for Novartis for more 10 years, first few years were great and the CIO actually knew what is needed and what the strategy was, he was very much a people person and actual had conversation with his staff and their staff. I was able to deliver 8-10 large systems which people still use today. Learned lots of things and charted the areas that we're not even thought of until recently. Current management is too busy trying find out what to?

Cons

Management does not know how to run the business and support the business technically. Directors and above are too busy trying to get promoted and not do anything for many years to show for accomplishments and these people are the one that gets promoted. Take a look at track record and you will see, people under them did the work and credit is taken by the director and they are getting promoted. It is like college club house and it takes long to get in, if you are not in get out. There is no way you will ever get recognized or promoted. No direction, lack of trust, egoistic and opinionated culture. Do not trust anyone. HR will only listen to management no matter what the facts are so better if leave and find other companies to work for and for less money. Long hours too.

3.0
Aug 23, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong rewards and incentives: salary, bonus, stock, health benefits. Exciting science and transformative advanced therapy platforms.

Cons

Leadership says one thing (e.g., be unbossed) but consistently does another (reprisal for failure). Not a psychologically safe environment to work in: they advertise you to be open (e.g., speak your mind), but consistently reward behavior that's in line with conformity (e.g., "do what you're told" or "think my way instead of your way"). If the mid-level leadership was completely different, it could be such a MAGNIFICENT and rewarding place to work. Too bad.

1.0
Apr 29, 2023

just say no

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you are a woman with young/ school-age children: only work here if there are no other job options for you and use it as a transition while you are looking elsewhere

Cons

work-life balance and having a family is frowned upon/ nonexistent. They will hire ypu with a 30% travel estimate in their ads and job description then give you a new job description post-hire with an expectation of 60-70% overnight travel. This is expectation can not reasonably be accomplished by women with schoolage children or younger babies..

Viewing 40 - 42 of 9,044 Reviews

Glassdoor has 12,630 Novartis reviews submitted anonymously by Novartis employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Novartis is right for you.