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Charles River Laboratories

Engaged Employer

A good company to work for if you are looking for a springboard into another pharmaceutical company. - Senior Technologist Charles River Laboratories Employee Review

3.0
Oct 23, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Internal hiring is favorable for people who want to completely change job types, at least for the lower levels. Everyone is relatively easy to work with and, most of the time, the supervisors do not bother the daily flow of work, allowing for a very personalized work schedule. It is quite easy to find a group of people that one can relate to which makes the otherwise droll days pass by easier. Even if the company is not doing well financially, HR allows people to choose another department to work with in lieu of being laid off.

Cons

When the company is not doing so well, HR is very quick to reassign people to different departments. And although this allows these people to keep their jobs, it makes for increasingly difficult work situations for the remaining people. Withing any given department, there are only a few levels of progression. Once you reach a certain level, there is no where to go except other departments, unless you don't mind an abysmal maximum 5% raise (if you score lower than a 3, you get no raise. and there is absolutely no way to score a 5). Communication between managers and workers is relatively poor. While most of the work schedule is personally based, any aspects which require involvement with another group or person often becomes a hassle due to lack of communication.

Explore other reviews about Charles River Laboratories

5.0
Jun 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work. Work/life balance is best I've been part of.

Cons

Very big company, don't always know who to go to

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Charles River Laboratories Response
1w
We're thrilled to hear you're enjoying your time at Charles River! Your contributions make a difference, and we’re grateful to have you on the team.
2.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people you work with under the leadership level are great and truly try their best every day to do the best job they possibly can.

Cons

Everyone is severely underpaid for the amount of work they’re expected to do. People will quit/be fired/laid off and no additional help is provided. Those who remain are expected to pick up all of the slack. Leadership is variable on the day-to-day but you never truly feel supported or like your problems are taken seriously enough to resolve. Individuals are actively urged not to present counter job offers as a way to negotiate higher pay or a different position because “the site head doesn’t like it”.

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