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Charles River Laboratories

Engaged Employer

Charles River Laboratories reviews

3.1

49% would recommend to a friend

(2,374 total reviews)
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Birgit Girshick

64% approve of CEO

32% positive business outlook

Charles River Laboratories has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 2,374 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Charles River Laboratories 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
1.0
Jun 24, 2025

Worst Company Ever

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Remote work since the pandemic

Cons

Steer clear of this company if you’d like to maintain your sanity! The CEO, executives, supervisors and management only care about themselves and the bottom line! The workload is absolutely atrocious where the work/life balance and the pay is beyond despicable! The company keeps pushing their employees to complete surveys and vote for this employer to be one of the”Boston’s best”… they say these surveys are anonymous, but certainly don’t trust anyone and watch your back! CRL’s acronym is actually “Cheap Ridiculous Labor”!!!

2.0
Jun 23, 2025

Watch Your Back

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Built many solid relationships with a lot of really great people. Spent 12 1/2 years in an industry that I loved.

Cons

Senior leadership will do whatever it takes to cover their own behind. I was told by my manager that I could use my PTO and have flexibility instead of using company sick time, and have it documented on numerous occasions. However, I was let go due to “attendance” after 12 1/2 years of loyalty to the organization. When I was let go, I had used 6 sick days for the year. Manager asked me about a technician who had falsified data, asking what I would do. I told him that data falsification is something you should be terminated for. The technician in question still has her job. Saw senior leadership stop caring about people. It turned back to profit, and employees suffer. Delayed merit increases. Missing huge blocks of time having 1:1’s with my boss. My managers wife is a current surgeon at the site and is a notorious bully. Constantly talking about people behind their backs, criticizing anyone who isn’t like her, being rude, etc. We lost an experienced supervisor because of her who couldn’t take her anymore. She’s still there, shocking! Company stopped regular 401k matching, saying that they would pay it out at the end of the year instead. So, if you get let go or leave, you lose the years match. The little bonus that folks do receive was reduced by nearly 70% in 2025. Politics plays a part in advancement and respect. It’s not about your work, it’s about who you know.

Viewing 151 - 153 of 2,374 Reviews

Glassdoor has 2,666 Charles River Laboratories reviews submitted anonymously by Charles River Laboratories employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Charles River Laboratories is right for you.