Great place to work despite lousy work-from-home & time-off policies - Anonymous employee MathWorks Employee Review

4.0
Dec 7, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

MathWorks is a great place to work. Roles can be challenging, "crunch" is pretty rare for most positions, and you're working with qualified, smart people. Managers are effective. There is plenty of room for growth in most roles, and the mechanisms for receiving and providing feedback are strong. The company culture is good, though it's not the stereotypical 'Silicon Valley' type culture that might be typical of other software companies. Pay is competitive or on the higher side when accounting for bonuses. There is a generally good work/life balance, and while there isn't a lot of vacation time, most positions have sensible hours and it's rare that you'll be interrupted on the weekends or during your own time. The direction of the company seems positive. MathWorks has a positive social agenda, and the company is open to feedback. Overall, it is a great place to work.

Cons

The work-from-home policy and time off policies are really bad. It's not just that the policy is bad -- 3 work from home days a year -- it is that the culture around the policy is toxic. Despite that very few people ever work from home, when somebody does work from home, there is a constant suspicion from managers and peers throughout the company. The policy itself, 3 days a year, is very restrictive and not flexible at all, but because the company has such a strict policy about working from home, this has become a culture issue as well. The policy for sick time is similar. While the policy is 'unlimited' there is a cultural stigma against using sick time and an unwritten but passively enforced policy against being "too sick." The company has gotten slightly better with this, as now partial sick days can be used for doctors appointments, which wasn't the case until recently. The vacation policy is lacking as well. Employees can earn 15 days a year from years 1-5, and then earn 1 extra day between years 6-10, and then receive 5 earned days after 15 years. This makes a very slow climb even after you've been at the company longer than the industry average.

Explore other reviews about MathWorks

5.0
Jun 19, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and professional growth, with clear encouragement for employees to develop their skills over time. There are frequent, fun company events that help build connections across teams and contribute to a genuinely friendly and collaborative culture. Overall, the organization takes a very staff-focused approach, prioritizing employee well-being and fostering an environment where people feel supported and valued.

Cons

With a globally distributed workforce, it can sometimes be challenging to coordinate schedules or connect in person with colleagues.

4.0
Jul 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

MathWorks has traditionally had a strong employee-first culture, and that largely starts at the top. The company genuinely cares about employee well-being and offers one of the better benefits packages in the industry. Free breakfast and lunch, generous health insurance, a strong 401(k) match, every-other-year company outings, and unlimited sick time are all meaningful perks that employees appreciate. The work-life balance is generally good, and the company provides a stable, low-stress environment compared to many tech companies. Many employees stay for 10, 15, or even 20+ years, which speaks to the company's stability and culture.

Cons

As the company has grown, the employee-first mentality that once distinguished MathWorks feels less prominent than it used to. Decision-making can be slow, with multiple layers of review and a significant amount of bureaucracy. The company tends to be conservative and prefers following proven market trends rather than leading them or rapidly adopting new technologies. While MathWorks promotes the idea of being a "rational workplace," there is often a strong preference for following established rules and precedent. In some cases, this can make the organization less flexible and less willing to adapt decisions to specific circumstances, even when doing so would appear to be the more rational outcome. Career growth can also be challenging. Because many employees have long tenures, opportunities for promotion and advancement may be limited, especially for those looking to progress quickly. This can be frustrating for ambitious employees seeking accelerated career development. I would be less likely to recommend MathWorks as a first employer for early-career engineers looking for rapid skill development, frequent promotions, significant ownership, and experience in a fast-moving environment. The company excels at providing a stable and comfortable long-term career, but may not be the best place for those seeking accelerated professional growth early in their careers.

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