Work-life balance undermined by bureaucracy and bias - Manager, Software Engineering Johnson & Johnson Employee Review

3.0
Jul 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There is a good work life balance.

Cons

- bureaucracy, everything take longer than needs to - culture is "J&J nice," precludes discussing difficult problems blocking progress - hostile to people with autism or others with neurodivergence - diversity is poor, if you are black you very likely not feel "seen" - higher penalties for women being assertive than men - will engage in constructive discharge to get rid of people perceived as difficult to work with - The ratings for employees are on a curve, if you are in a strong team, higher ratings are hard won, not everyone can be exceptional, even if they meet the J&J definition of exceptional. - Feedback is vague, not specific, actionable or helpful. Some manager are good coaches, but they are exceptions. - If you get a moderate rating you are in danger of being laid off. - In the Bay Area, pay is not competitive. HR has data saying otherwise, but I assure you, it is incorrect. Odds are, you will take a pay cut to join.

Explore other reviews about Johnson & Johnson

5.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Fast paced and collaborative culture

Cons

Not a tech company culture

3.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The colleagues I worked with were great, friendly, helpful. Because the colleagues were great, I'd love to work there full-time, but this was a short contract.

Cons

The supervisor I was ultimately working for had never worked in digital-related products, in which I had decades of experience. He seemed to be unaware of what every colleague would be telling me (I was interviewing colleagues using a software the manager was intending to propose use for firm-wide). Both the colleagues I interviewed, and the internal technical staff I was speaking with knew the project would not function as he seemed intent on ... forcing(?) it do so. I gave him the resulting report of its users' feedback, and I was finished with my contract. He had gone through 2 other women in this same role, already. And he hired a male after me who delivered esentially the same results. Because I wasn't there, I have no idea of the dream outcome this manager attained, or switched to, later.

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