employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Engaged Employer

Vertex Pharmaceuticals reviews

4.0

76% would recommend to a friend

(1,270 total reviews)
avatar

Reshma Kewalramani

87% approve of CEO

84% positive business outlook

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 1,270 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Vertex Pharmaceuticals 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

1K reviews
2.0
Dec 3, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent science and one of the best R&D scientists I’ve ever worked with. The Pharm Sci department seems really top notch. Pay is average in the industry and the benefits are good

Cons

Vertex has always been a hard place to work. Before joining 9 years ago I was ” warned” about the culture. It is not for the faint of heart. Don’t get fooled but the “ Best Place to Work” propaganda. This place works you to death. While there I know 7 people who separated from their spouses due to Never being around, mostly due to the unrealistic brutal drug development timelines they insist on everyone delivering on. Every drug, even drugs they have very little understanding if the biology or chemistry has to get into humans faster and faster... unrealistic demands. Remember, Vertex has worked in CF for 16 years so of course those programs moved faster and faster. But the new pipeline, good-luck. Also, The C suite pays themselves and gives themselves incredible raises and bonus while the employees who kill themselves and create great work get 2% raises. I do not recommend this company; hence I left to find a place that respects Work/Life balance and doesn’t have such a greedy C suite.

avatar
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Response
6y
We appreciate you taking the time to post your review. We will be sure to provide your feedback to the proper departments.
1.0
Dec 14, 2022

One of the worst workplace in biotech

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Pipeline, stock options, location, cafetaria, vacation

Cons

- Advise to new people seeking opportunities at Vertex: Talk to as many internal people you know before jumping in to the offer. Some might hesitate to tell you the truth at the beginning, fearing the chances of retaliation but use your best knowledge and judgement to get a sense of group culture. Some departments and groups are fine but in R&D Pharm Sci most groups are toxic. - Micromanagement, extremely top-heavy and terrible management: PhD level scientists and senior scientists are just executing what they are being told from managemnt without questioning. Scientists who are doing the experiments, analyzing and interpreting the results do not get any credit and cannot even present their own results. No learning and growth opportunity. No clear criteria for promotion, it is up to the director. And the sad truth is the directors are very well aware of all these but they just want executions, 0% focus on people and retaining people, so much waste of time and knowledge. Most groups have extremely high turnover numbers, completely new group in every 2-3 years except the directors. -Some directors are getting away from HR and executive committee members inspite of having numerous allegations on them for verbal and mental abuse at workplace. They don't treat everyone with respect. They have all the bookwords for diversity, equality, inclusion and best workplace but it is all in words, nothing is actually practiced. - People who are saying no cons either they are fake reviews from HR or they havn't seen the whole picture yet or their group is just awesome, good for them. - The way it is working is they hire the top young entry level talent and burn them out mentally in 2-3 years and hire new talent, this cycle just goes on. Fast pace is not the problem, most top competitive biotech are working at this pace, but lack of clarity from management, disrespect, inequality is the problem.

avatar
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Response
3y
Your feedback has been shared with Human Resources. Respect, integrity and ethics are all core to Vertex’s values – we have a zero-tolerance policy for behavior of any kind outside of our Code of Conduct. Vertex has and always will place a high value on inclusion, belonging, respect and advancement for all employees across the company – this is not just something we say, it defines our culture and is embedded into everything we do.
1.0
Nov 20, 2019

Get rid of the rotten apple

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Beautiful location and good industry with upside potential.

Cons

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a very political place to work. The executive management team has their own small clique and their own favorites. Workplace bullying and harassment results in the victim suffering from degenerating health, diminished morale, and poor work performance. Benefits and pay are a slap in the face. The senior management doesn't know how to run the company and the hard working employees are the ones paying the price.

avatar
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Response
6y
We are sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your time at Vertex. If you were experiencing difficulties in your role, we would have suggested you speak with your manager or HR. We will make sure to provide this feedback to our senior leadership team.
Viewing 7 - 9 of 1,270 Reviews

Glassdoor has 1,646 Vertex Pharmaceuticals reviews submitted anonymously by Vertex Pharmaceuticals employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Vertex Pharmaceuticals is right for you.