Alkemist Labs Reviews

4.0

74% would recommend to a friend

(29 total reviews)

Elan Sudberg

89% approve of CEO

65% positive business outlook

Alkemist Labs has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 29 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Alkemist Labs employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

29 reviews
2.0
22 May 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The culture is good. People look out for each other

Cons

Quarterly conversations with pay review never happen. I should’ve had 8 of these reviews during my time there. I only ever had two. No one ever gets any raises, yet people are constantly put in new roles that should require a raise. There’s people there who are “supervisors”, they were “promoted” and have all the responsibilities of supervisors, but their job title never changed and certainly there was no increase in pay. Many people have been taken advantage of like this at this company (myself included), and we’re told our status will change soon and a raise will happen soon and it never does. It really does not matter how much you try and bust your behind at times to help carry the team. Zero notice. Zero compensation based on merit. The CEO could argue that this is because the company is always struggling for money, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that people aren’t paid appropriately from the start. Not to mention that the company spent money to move to a newer and bigger facility about 3 years ago, half of which sits empty. I do think that some people here are undervalued, while others overvalued.

avatar
Alkemist Labs Response
6y
Dear Current Employee - Chemist in Garden Grove, CA, Thank you for your anonymous vulnerability. I am sorry to read this. One of my many goals as your CEO is that all my Alkemites AND their family members are happy with their career here at Alkemist Labs and your feedback is helpful to guide my improvement . While I try not to make my replies here on Glassdoor ‘tit for tat’, there are several inaccuracies in your post, and I won’t allow such to live unchallenged. POINT 1 Quarterly conversations with pay review never happen. I should’ve had 8 of these reviews during my time there. I only ever had two. COUNTERPOINT 1 We lost our lab director and had no lab manager, so all lab supervisors reported to me suddenly. True, I failed to offer a ‘review’ to my supervisors every 90 days (for you for almost 2 years!!). Sorry about that. It’s a tight challenge and I take full responsibility for not living to your expectations. THE FIX 1 I have promoted a worthy Alkemite to Lab Manager and all my direct reports have since been given a Quarterly conversation. The next round is already being scheduled. POINT 2 No one ever gets any raises, yet people are constantly put in new roles that should require a raise. COUNTERPOINT 2 This is inaccurate. In the last 3 years I can count at least 9 promotions and raises. There are likely more I am not recalling. Is it possible you aren’t not privy to such information? We are a small company and development is sometimes too slow for individuals like yourself. Sorry. THE FIX 2 A salary increase is on the table for all supervisors and requires not just taking on new responsibilities but doing so with continuous maturity, professionalism and with grace. Not everyone can achieve those milestones. POINT 3 There’s people there who are “supervisors”, they were “promoted” and have all the responsibilities of supervisors, but their job title never changed and certainly there was no increase in pay. COUNTERPOINT 3 I know of only 1 staff member who fits that category and it hasn’t been anything personal rather See THE FIX 2 above. THE FIX 3 See THE FIX 2 above. POINT 4 Many people have been taken advantage of like this at this company (myself included), and we’re told our status will change soon and a raise will happen soon and it never does. It really does not matter how much you try and bust your behind at times to help carry the team. Zero notice. Zero compensation based on merit. COUNTERPOINT 4 This is inaccurate, See COUNTERPOINT 2 POINT 5 The CEO could argue that this is because the company is always struggling for money, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that people aren’t paid appropriately from the start. Not to mention that the company spent money to move to a newer and bigger facility about 3 years ago, half of which sits empty. I do think that some people here are undervalued, while others overvalued. COUNTERPOINT 5 According to The American Chemical Society pay scales published each year, we start at competitive wages and salaries, and when it is earned continue to grow compensation in the form of promotions with pay increases, really good health care benefits, lots of PTO, and many other perks. Check yourself here https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/know-your-worth.htm before you wreck yourself. THE FIX 5 At our new big facility, for which I placed everything I own including my home and the home of the other owner on the line to get to, there are 5 exits you can leave through if you are dissatisfied. If this place is so bad why you are still here?
5.0
13 Apr 2016

HPTLC Chemist

Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Alkemist Labs is family owned. Executive management and staff genuinely respect and care about each other, which leads to amazing collaborative work. The opportunity to work with highly respected experts in this industry. Fun team building events, holiday parties, and company activities. Competitive benefits, salary, and vacation time.

Cons

The lab is small, and sometimes the work load can be very heavy.

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Alkemist Labs Response
10y
Thank you so much for your kind words and positive feedback!!!
1.0
9 Sept 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great working hours Lots of holidays Inclusive Good PTO Free snacks/food Parties CEO knows everyone’s name which I think is cool You get a desk Some nice people

Cons

-Cry at work everyday -made to feel like you and your work is not good enough - individuals who are unapproachable, unprofessional and rude are in positions of power -Don’t care if you are working in inhuman conditions: i.e forced to work through lunch (while clocked out), no time to take bathroom breaks, forced to chug water so you don’t die once work is over, and no breaks at all most days. All this is done to finish your work load and then it’s told that’s your fault and not an excuse for being unhappy -no problem resolution when conflict arises -employees afraid to ask for help because they will be met with no help and dismissed or will be talked down to -no training, basically forced to train yourself (not an excuse to have a hard time at work) -can’t ask too many questions or it’s seen as a disturbance -expected to be at an insane level or proficiency without being given the proper skills to succeed Overall very unpleasant experience. Very high turn over rate for a reason.

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Alkemist Labs Response
3y
Dear Former Alkemite, First, thank you for the data in the Pros section. I do try hard to know everyone’s name. I know I like it when the boss knows me… In fact, I recall the surprise on your face each morning when I walked by your desk and said ‘good morning J#####n!’… I do regret not connecting with you more since perhaps you could have thrived instead of the exit you took. I’d like to thank you for the rest of the review but can’t since it's peppered with falsehoods and inaccuracies… Cry at work every day? I am sorry to learn that. Alkemist is a high-paced, high-thinking analytical lab, and sometimes it's too much for some who are not ready for that. I am glad you self-selected out so you can find something more at your pace and be happy. I am sorry you experienced my management team as unapproachable and unprofessional. Know that we tried. We met several times to talk about your work, opportunities to improve, and the like. We will take this data and make changes according. You shared: “Don’t care if you are working in inhuman conditions: i.e forced to work through lunch (while clocked out), no time to take bathroom breaks, forced to chug water so you don’t die once work is over, and no breaks at all most days.” We follow all federal and state employment laws TO THE T… That said I am aware of one occasion where you were on a call with tech support and had to take your lunch later. One occasion does not describe conditions and we are grateful you were flexible. Inhumane??? Alkemist Labs is spacious and beyond humane. We invested a ton of money to make it so. You and I both know that no one has ever asked you to not take breaks and we expect our staff to know when to take bathroom breaks on their own as needed. You shared: “All this is done to finish your workload and then it’s told that’s your fault and not an excuse for being unhappy -no problem resolution when conflict arises -employees afraid to ask for help because they will be met with no help and dismissed or will be talked down to -no training, basically forced to train yourself (not an excuse to have a hard time at work) -can’t ask too many questions or it’s seen as a disturbance -expected to be at an insane level or proficiency without being given the proper skills to succeed” As I mentioned earlier, Alkemist Labs is a high pace, high-thinking analytical lab. It is stressful at times. I will give you that. Some people come and go quickly while others stay for 15 years… No training? We have records of your training called training records… lol You signed them… We expect a high level of proficiency especially when you share in the interview that you have experience with the instrumentation BUT when it was ‘game day’ we find that you grossly misrepresented yourself. And so you required more training which we gave you. Thank you for the advice to Management. Here is some advice for you: When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what that man has to say. For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest For he’s with you, clear to the end And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test If the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years And get pats on the back as you pass But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you’ve cheated the man in the glass. Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.
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Glassdoor has 31 Alkemist Labs reviews submitted anonymously by Alkemist Labs employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Alkemist Labs is right for you.