Growing Pains - Anonymous employee Elsevier Employee Review

2.0
5 Sept 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Even though they have worsened over the years, the benefits are still fairly good.

Cons

Not only does divisional strategy not align with what's happening in the respective markets, but senior management also continuously glosses over and cuts corners on implementation. This mentality has negatively impacted the implementation of key strategies and product/platform launches. The culture has evolved into that of a finger-pointing environment. Instead of colleagues supporting one another, the culture encourages employees to throw each other under the bus. So many changes are implemented just for the sake of change. There is a widespread mentality that things were done wrong in the past and need to be changed. While bringing in fresh thinking from other industries can be powerful, legacy employees can also have valuable input. There is an epidemic within the organization that the only good ideas come from new employees who came from other industries.

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5.0
11 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Industry leader Great benefits Incentive trips Invests heavily in its employees

Cons

Processes can be burdensome and clunky at times

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Elsevier Response
2w
Thank you for this balanced and thoughtful review. We're glad to hear that our benefits and investment in people are making a positive impact, those are commitments we take seriously. On the process feedback: Leadership is actively reviewing operational workflows, and the advice to listen more closely to employee feedback is something we're holding ourselves accountable to. If you're open to it, we'd encourage you to bring specific examples forward through your team or people and culture contacts. Change is most effective when it's grounded in the real experiences of the people doing the work, and that means you. Feel free to reach out to us at elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to provide more information Thank you for staying engaged and for caring enough to share this. It matters.
4.0
9 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Every direct manager I've had has been excellent: supportive, positive, and trusting me to deliver good work instead of micromanaging. Employees tend to stay, which suggests stability even if not everyone gets promotions or significant raises.

Cons

The pressure to outsource as much as possible, which is common at every publisher, leads to frustration. Because promotions or significant raises seem to be rare, you may be stuck in neutral unless you're very openly ambitious.

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