Where dreams go to die - Anonymous employee Avantor Employee Review

1.0
Oct 31, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You still have the chance to leave !!

Cons

I worked here for 13 years. It went from a mildly dysfunctional but still viable job, to a complete mess that challenged your sanity just to make it through the day. Through natural selection processes, the place in Phillipsburg seems to have become a repository for psychopaths, sociopaths, people with real mental issues and scared terrified "mouse like" rank in file who wander the halls murmuring about getting laid off or fired. The groups (lab or pilot plant ect) are perfect case studies for group think behavior. Loud mouth bullies take charge and the rest of the employees cower or suck up to these types in order to not be singled out. Some of the management are suffering from bizarre behavior or mood disorders. Some people work 80 plus hours per week and make well into the six figures on overtime while others may sit for weeks on end with nothing to do. The work is boring and repetitive and anyone who tries to bring up change is attacked. The group think and follow the leader mentality is so scary it makes one realize how terrible war crimes (think ww2) could occur. There is no real order and true ingenuity is frowned upon and attacked. This place is only still running because of legacy products that sell themselves and they are close to ruining that as well. One employee of 25 plus years got cancer and it was as if he simply disappeared..... no card, no phone calls, just like he was vanished like it was some sick game show. Safety is truly worrisome. One gets the feel that simply being on the grounds is enough to worsen your health. God only knows what fumes are leaking up through the cracks after 200 years of dumping carcinogenic chemicals into the earth. Walking in this plant is like a trip to the twilight zone. Everyone has their head down looking at the ground as if they are all just hoping to keep collecting there pay check until the warm embrace of the crypt finally comes along and ends their long agonizing existence. I literally freaked out one day and just got in my car and left !!! It was like the end of the movie Amittyville Horror" where the guy gets a moment of clarity and runs for his life !!! Dont work here. If you do work here LEAVE before you get cancer or find yourself so far gone that there is nothing left for you to live for. There are lots of places to work that don't drain your life force or force you to kiss up to psychopaths like you were in the Shawshank prison.

Explore other reviews about Avantor

5.0
Aug 19, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Avantor has top-tier people you get to work with and around. The company does a great job focusing on people and their development. Over the past several years, the Company has continued to highlight its purpose and impact by enabling science and supporting our customers who do amazing things for humankind.

Cons

Since Avantor has similar value streams under different leaders, this tends to lead to redundancy or counterproductive activities.

3.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

starting pay and the ability to work independently.

Cons

There is a significant amount of workplace drama and unprofessional behavior within the team, which can make the environment feel more like a high school setting than a professional workplace. Management appears to have limited understanding of employees' day-to-day responsibilities and is often resistant to feedback or process improvement suggestions. Employees may feel discouraged from raising concerns or proposing changes. Advancement opportunities also seem limited, with promotions and career growth often perceived as being influenced by personal relationships rather than merit. Additionally, the annual performance review process can be frustrating, as employees may feel that the scoring system makes it difficult to achieve the highest ratings and corresponding compensation increases, regardless of performance. Finally, there are concerns about workload distribution, with some leadership positions appearing to have fewer responsibilities than other team members.

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