Overall a great company to work for - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

4.0
Nov 4, 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits, collaborative environment, freedom to work outside strict boundaries (at least in Research), flexible working hours, great transportation options, friendly and engaged employees, products impact consumers' lives in a profound and beneficial way.

Cons

Now considered "Big Pharma" due to the Roche ownership. This translates into more rules, slower processes, cumbersome information technology systems (SAP-based), less individual impact on the company's successes (and failures), and a more "9-5" mentality of the workforce versus before when employees would go the extra mile to take things to the next level. Career options can be extremely limited without advanced degrees despite solid performance. Performance is only very loosely tied to compensation (i.e. you can bust your butt but only receive a modest increase in salary [about +2% relative to average increase] and bonus [about +20% relative to average bonus].

Explore other reviews about Genentech

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

3
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