Jan 8, 2009
Stanford University reviews
4.3
83% would recommend to a friend
Jonathan Levin
79% approve of CEO
68% positive business outlook
Stanford University has an employee rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 5,717 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Stanford University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.8 stars).
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6K reviews
1.0
Jan 1, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook
Pros
Stanford offers an intellectually stimulating atmosphere, a beautiful campus, an ethnically diverse workforce, and an extensive support structure for faculty. Salaries are competitive in most job areas, though the cost of living in the bay area offsets this somewhat. Although promotion within one's department can be slow, the university's many and varied academic and administrative departments offer chances for advancement in the larger organization. Professional growth is actively encouraged through a variety of training opportunities and funds. Like most universities, Stanford offers a generous vacation package. Exempt staff receive three weeks to start and four weeks after one year; most non-exempt employees receive two weeks to start and advance to three weeks. Personal days and a basic allotment of holidays add up. The university is also developing flexible work schedules to attract and retain administrative staff. The university is a leader in alternative transportation, including free access to Caltrain and VTA, carpool parking discounts, on-campus access to daily and hourly car rentals, cash incentives, and free local shuttle buses. On-campus parking is limited and expensive (see next section). And don't forget the fabulous weather!
Cons
Stanford is a feudal society. The Crown (senior academic officers) flourish in a rarified atmosphere of privilege and pomp. The nobility (faculty) also enjoy extensive privilege and, depending upon what fiefdom they inhabit, are well paid and accommodated. Vassals (exempt administrative staff) and peasants (non-exempt support staff) are treated like servants -- expensive, but necessary., nuisances. Employee benefits are generally competitive, however they are gradually eroding as Stanford becomes more and more corporate and seeks costs savings in these areas. E.g., promised retiree healthcare benefits were recently reduced for non-vested staff, employee training funds were cut by one third, and layoffs have become routine. Faculty are favored, with housing stipends and other programs not enjoyed by administrative and support staff. Plans exist to move as many administrative staff as possible off campus, effectively removing one of the most attractive reasons to work at Stanford. A number of departments have already been moved to an office park and many more will be moved to similar quarters in surrounding communities over the next several years. Paid parking permits are required during normal working hours. Permits are expensive and parking can be scarce and inconveniently located. However, the university promotes and sponsors an excellent alternative transportation system (see previous section).
4.0
Dec 31, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook
Pros
Stanford tries hard to be diversified. It provides a lot of internal training for staff's career advancement. The situation of work environment varies from department to department. Most of the departments and schools have very reasonable work environment with fair and understanding management. Stanford's pay scale in general is not bad, and benefits are comparable with some bug companies. Stanford also strives for work life balance for staff and students. The campus is amazingly beautiful, and the university tries their best to discourage personal cars on campus by building a lot of bike only roads. In general, Stanford is a good organization to work for.
Cons
The more competitive schools (like medicine and engineering) have more cut-throat environment. Also, because Stanford is a research university, there is always the need for meeting the highest standard of research. Administrators sometimes feel the pressure of being knowledgeable about the most up to date research regulations at all times, which might not be possible all the time. Stanford management is not always transparent in terms of policy and benefit changes.
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