Corporate Despotism at its Finest - Anonymous employee Gilead Sciences Employee Review

3.0
Dec 14, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

In spite of the title, I gave the company 3 stars because a new CEO starts March 1st, 2019. The primary fault of the previous CEO was his tolerance for the despotic behavior of certain members of senior management, and its negative impact on company culture, retention, and performance. The Board’s decision to replace the CEO was a necessary step that is likely to have immediate impact by requiring the bad actors of senior management to shape up or get left behind, as the new CEO seems to have an ethical and moral framework that won’t tolerate the despotic culture that certain members of senior management have used to hold back and discourage entire portions of their own sections of the of the organization

Cons

Certain members of senior management have tyrannically enforced a culture whereby the company’s positive value of following the science is warped to the despotic behavior of excluding those not in a scientist role whenever and wherever possible, by promoting their friends into roles that they are unqualified for, micromanaging project execution, and the ruthless holding back those deserving of promotions in apparent spite. These member of senior management have a plethora of HR complaints against them yet refuse to change their behavior in a meaningful way, apparently because they actually believe they are doing nothing wrong and are very happy with the despot that they’ve created for themselves.

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5.0
Jun 18, 2026
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CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good company to work for

Cons

no serious cons to be listed

5.0
Jul 7, 2026
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Meaningful, mission-driven work with the opportunity to contribute to projects that can have a real impact on patients. Colleagues are highly knowledgeable, supportive, and generally willing to provide mentorship. Gilead also offers strong resources, exposure to different functions within the pharmaceutical industry, and opportunities to work on high-visibility projects.

Cons

Cons: As with many large companies, decision-making and project approvals can sometimes move slowly because of multiple layers of review. The experience may also vary depending on the specific team and manager, and the number of meetings and internal processes can occasionally feel cumbersome.

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