Pros
The role can provide valuable GMP and pharmaceutical manufacturing experience, particularly for graduates or those looking to get a foot in the door of the industry. Some colleagues are supportive and hardworking, and the experience can help build skills that are transferable to other roles.
Cons
My experience as a contractor was disappointing. Despite the company's stated values of accountability, integrity, teamwork, inclusion, and equality, I did not feel included or valued as part of the team. There appeared to be a clear divide between permanent employees and contractors, with contractors often treated as disposable resources rather than team members. Management was highly focused on targets and productivity, often to the point of micromanagement. Breaks were closely monitored, targets were regularly increased, and although quality was frequently promoted as the top priority, the reality was that hitting production numbers seemed to matter more than maintaining quality standards. Communication from management was poor, and contractors were often left feeling unsupported and uninformed. There was little respect shown to workers on the line, and concerns raised by employees did not appear to be taken seriously. Contractors were regularly reminded of how replaceable they were, and there were instances where people were told their positions could be terminated if expectations were not met. Job security is also a major concern. Many contractors spend years working on site without any realistic path to permanent employment. Opportunities for progression are extremely limited, and people can remain in temporary positions for extended periods with little recognition or advancement. Another issue is that employees are sometimes hired for one role and then expected to work in different areas while remaining on lower contractor pay rates. For a company with significant financial resources, compensation and treatment of contractors felt disappointing.