Elsevier reviews

4.0

79% would recommend to a friend

(2,189 total reviews)

Kumsal Bayazit

90% approve of CEO

75% positive business outlook

Elsevier has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 2,189 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Elsevier employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Media & Communication industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
2.0
Jun 15, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Talented people, and lots of job experience quickly. Because headcount is insufficient, you'll find yourself doing lots in various areas.

Cons

Elsevier is not good at developing talent. When I started here, there was almost no training offered to me. Management is consistently not developed as management--and the structures are such that particularly middle management cannot be effective. There is a disconnect between even mid-level management and those on the ground--there is a lack of understanding of what people are doing and an unwillingness to discipline or let go those who are not pulling their weight. Hiring is EXTREMELY political, particularly in certain groups, and criticisms are often personality-based. Elsevier is not a data-driven organization; there is little accountability for jobs done well and poorly, and lots of talk of "gut feelings" from senior management.

2.0
May 12, 2026

Good benefits but weak leadership and accountability

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits and can take time off whenever needed.

Cons

Weak leadership and accountability. Too top heavy and disconnected from their own teams, customers and users.

avatar
Elsevier Response
1mo
Thank you for your long-term commitment to Elsevier and for sharing your perspective candidly. We respect the experience behind this feedback. Eight or more years gives real insight into how an organisation operates over time, including where it falls short. The concerns you've raised around leadership visibility, accountability, and connection to teams and customers are themes we take seriously, and we won't dismiss them as isolated views. That said, we'd also gently note that leadership structure and decision-making are complex areas that are actively evolving, and we recognise that positive change can feel slower on the ground than it appears from above. That gap in perception is itself something leadership needs to own and address. We encourage you to bring this feedback into more direct conversations where it can be acted on, whether through leadership forums, HR channels, or team-level discussions. Reviews like this matter, but the most durable change happens through sustained dialogue. If you prefer, feel free to reach out to us at elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to provide more information. We appreciate your continued investment in the organisation.
1.0
Sep 27, 2024

Bad middle management

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work like balance, 100% remote

Cons

- bad manager who has no idea what they were talking a about. Taking all of the credits to be their own and often throw employees under the bus by pointing fingers - no knowledge of the product they manage and try to come up with solution to make the product even worse. - micro-managed - no transparency - 1:1 just kept asking what lease to update and always said that makes sense the. Turned around throw the employee under the bus by saying oh I am not aware of this.

avatar
Elsevier Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We’re sorry to hear about your experience and understand how disheartening these issues can feel. As no specific team, role, or location is mentioned, it’s challenging for us to investigate these concerns in depth. We take feedback around management and transparency seriously and continually work to ensure all teams foster a supportive, informed environment. We encourage you to contact us directly - elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to better understand and address this. Your insights are valuable as we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels recognized, empowered, and supported.
Viewing 175 - 177 of 2,189 Reviews

Glassdoor has 2,534 Elsevier reviews submitted anonymously by Elsevier employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Elsevier is right for you.