Biogen reviews

3.9

71% would recommend to a friend

(2,050 total reviews)
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Christopher A. Viehbacher

74% approve of CEO

54% positive business outlook

Biogen has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 2,050 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Biogen 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

2K reviews
2.0
May 17, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent pay and benefits Attempts at work life balance are better than some

Cons

The culture in IT is TOXIC! There are no career paths in IT. If you're a female, you have no chance for promotion to IT leadership which is sad considering the EVP of technology is a woman. Once you reach the Job level before management, you sit there with no career advancement opportunities no matter how much you prove yourself. Sleepless nights, weekend work, all goes unnoticed and undervalued. Going the extra mile gets you nowhere. Management promotions NEVER come from BIOGEN employees they are hired from outside or sweetheart hires/ favoritism. Poor decisions are made for technology choices to where it's all custom work and expensive while ITs budget is constantly cut to the point there is no training or personal development funds for employees to grow and learn. IT Leadership remains firmly entrenched in their Ivory tower and no one actually interacts with them unless they're a Director or above. Some VPs are non existent and you're actually surprised when you see them in the office. CIO is good and trying to clean it up. Hopefully he's successful before it's too late and he loses half the IT department.

1.0
Dec 1, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits, PTO/sick time, stock options are the best in the area. The company wide events and volunteer opportunities are always happening and a great time.

Cons

Feedback: This is not an open environment where feedback is appreciated unless you are part of a group of coordinators that has been "chosen" by a supervisor and/or manager. Unless your part of the chosen you have to abide by the strict micromanagement and ever changing policies that may not make sense. Do not question decisions otherwise you will be branded a complainer who does not follow policies. Job responsibilities: The position used to be gratifying, you felt like you were really helping the patient. Sadly, this is no longer the case. You are expected to read from scripts and will be penalized for veering off the script. The only priority you have is the one that is told to you, you are no longer required to use your brain or the skills that got you the job. Technology: The "technology" we use is antiquated and fails often, instead of continuing with the plan of upgrading all of our technology we continue to put bandaids on the current old system and expect coordinators to use many work arounds. You are still held accountable for the calls you didn't make/take even when the system fails. Communication: Added responsibilities and changing priorities are communicated via many emails. Your inbox will be inundated with constant emails of what you are expected to do that day and the daily changing priorities. It is difficult to keep up with all the emails. Meetings held are to provide us with additional responsibilities and again the ever changing priorities they want to make sure we saw in the email. Growth: minimal. During the interview they will talk about the growth of the company and the chance to learn and succeed. Opportunities within the organization. This is not a lie but not quite true, if you are friends with someone in leadership or have been "chosen" (with or without merit) you will advance. Unfortunately, if you are not in the category mentioned you will stay where you are and continue to be micromanaged until you either become complacent or bored and tired of being treated like a child and leave. Training: On your own and on your own time (if approved and your deemed worthy of training for advancement) not possible to be done as OT. OT should be used to make/take calls only. (All of this is dependent on your supervisor/manager, if you are lucky enough to have a supportive person in your corner you will have a different experience).

2.0
Aug 20, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits are pretty good, and the company's future looks bright. If you're lucky, your direct report will shield you from most of the mess from above.

Cons

If you're looking for quarterly re-orgs, leadership by fear, incessant politicking, a refusal to acknowledge or address incompetence, the Peter Principle in action, and an ostrich-like approach to looming disasters even when presented with proactive solutions -- then run, don't walk, to the Biogen head office (if you can find it, they have trouble deciding where to keep it) and request an application, stat.

Viewing 61 - 63 of 2,050 Reviews

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