Getting Better Every Day! - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

5.0
Aug 26, 2013
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The Hillsboro site has undergone a huge transformation over the past 2 1/2 years. Teams are hitting major milestones and collaboration has improved greatly. Senior Management is listening and has made noticable efforts to improve the working culture. Nearly all the people who contributed to the problems in 2011 are long gone, replaced with the exceptional talent that one would expect to find at Genentech.

Cons

Business processes are still too complex and decision making is still too slow. There still are a handful of people who are only looking out for themselves, which make it hard for the rest of us. Work/life balance is still a challenge, people in some groups are getting burned-out while others don't seem to pick up the slack. Some middle managers need to put their egos aside and focus on doing the right things for the business over what's best for them.

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Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
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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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