Genentech reviews

4.0

74% would recommend to a friend

(3,710 total reviews)
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Ashley Magargee

83% approve of CEO

55% positive business outlook

Genentech has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 3,710 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Genentech employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

4K reviews
5.0
Feb 16, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

rewarding work, personal connection to the company mission to improve the lives of patients fun factor - company parties are great, eg. GIn Blossoms playing at the holiday party; t-shirts for major milestones

Cons

Project Managers aren't highly respected by upper management. There's a sense of distrust or incompetence that trickles down from the top; ironically, we can't do our best because our hands are so tied following processes and guidelines that remove any "art" or judgment that would utilize our valuable experience and knowledge. Focus on development is strictly "soft skills"; some of which is great. But for technical folks that have put in many years at one company, it's critical to hone technical skills too. You can't keep up with technology trends when you're working with the same folks and same systems for 5+ years. You must have exposure to new things from external sources. Technical training is NOT readily available.

2.0
Jan 24, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Purpose-driven business. Strong feeling of employees that they are doing something meaningful - developing and selling drugs that cure cancer. People can be nice, depending on the group. Some areas are very haughty and superior.

Cons

Contract employees are treated, for the most part, as second class citizens. The company expects them to behave like employees - e.g., be on site 40+ hours per week, and be a W-2 workers - but the treatment of them is inconsistent with permanent employees. Contractors are frequently referred to simply as "red badges" (employees have blue badges.) "Red Badge" is a term referring to their non-employee status within the organization as contingent workers. When hired, contract employees are often told that they can be converted to permanent employee status after 6 months, but it rarely happens. It does only if you can find an open position - people don't get "converted." Beware of the agencies, too. Some are very good, but many effectively drop you as soon as you are onboarded, and simply collect a check for their percentage of your earnings.

4.0
Jan 22, 2010

Review

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Overall I think Genentechis a great place to work. People are really into the science and that, so far, continues to dominate decision making.

Cons

Despite continually saying Genentech will remain independent, Roche is exerting its influence in decision making and it is only time before SSF is not different than Nutley.

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Glassdoor has 5,060 Genentech reviews submitted anonymously by Genentech employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Genentech is right for you.