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Charles River Laboratories

Engaged Employer

CRL is a mixed bag - Principal Scientist I Charles River Laboratories Employee Review

2.0
May 4, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Recongition of employee talents by management, DEI, concern about employee safety, good geographical work location, good job opportunites in a tough job market.

Cons

CRL has gone through financial struggles with the biotech industry, that we are dependent on, reducing staff and small startup companies closing down. CRL has had to close sites, transferring those studies to existing sites. In order to generate revenue, some but not all departments are accepting studies that we are at times not fully qualified to conduct and we are over-promising on meeting sponsor deadlines. Members of these groups are over-worked, frequently working 12+ hour days. Mistakes are being made and there is no time to train new employees. We care about providing quality work to our sponsors, but the need to meet the same volume of sponsor studies to generate revenue with a reduced staff is proving challenging.

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
4w
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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