Illumina reviews

10 rounds of lay offs in 4 years has led to near constant structural changes across departments and regions. An exhausting and really demoralising experience. Resulting layoffs stack former workload onto remaining employees with never signs of increasing headcount. Additionally, ELT wanting to be reactive to the market and create new projects or campaigns is just not possible with severely understaffed and overworked Cuts to stock options brings us in line others and so now benefit package is "average". The approach to telling us by the ELT was borderline insulting "Go home and sleep on it" will be a phrase remembered by Illumina employees for years to come. Communication about departmental changes, RIFs and other changes to process often it feels are never bothered to be shared. The ELT seem completely clueless in what direction they want to take the company in. Doing everything, everywhere all at once seems to be the only way forwards.

The work culture is flawed in several critical ways, particularly for those seeking professional growth. Career progression is inconsistent and heavily biased, with promotions often given to individuals lacking integrity or professionalism. This includes those who engage in non-compliant practices, work under the table, and undermine the team spirit by dismissing the collaborative efforts of coworkers. Promotions seem to follow arbitrary criteria, justified one year by "business need" and the next by "personal capability," without clear, consistent benchmarks. Even employees with great talent, skills, and years of hard work are frequently overlooked, leading to frustration and a lack of trust in the system. A prominent example of unfairness stems from situations where family members are hired within the same team. In some cases, where the partners are expected to share knowledge. This dynamic sets the stage for unfair advantages, as the new family member is often provided additional opportunities that other employees are not. Such practices create inequality, cultivate resentment, and damage the team's morale. Additionally, management often makes decisions disconnected from real-world realities due to gaps in domain expertise and practical experience, resulting in problematic outcomes. Long-term contributions by employees are frequently dismantled or marginalized in favor of short-term objectives, further damaging morale.