Still have work to do to be "great" place to work. - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

4.0
Aug 13, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Company truly does stick to values in terms of following science and doing what is right for the patient. Great benefits and stable organization (excellent pipeline). Work with great people. Great resources to get the job done.

Cons

Very difficult to get promoted from within. Can get exceeds expectations multiple years in a row, but still not be perfect enough. There is quite a bit of politics at play in deciding on promotions. If you are not in with the right leaders, criteria changes and you don't get promoted. Easier for people to come in at those higher levels externally. They also come in with higher compensation. People who have been with company for many years tend to fall behind in salaries. Becoming overwhelmed with process. It seems every week, there is a new process or SOP to adhere to that really doesn't affect quality of work.

Explore other reviews about Genentech

5.0
Jun 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great salary and team! The interview process was smooth and effective.

Cons

To be determined, but so far many alignment meetings. Some folks have frustuations around the re-org and strategy changes.

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.

2
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All