Pros
There is potential for professional learning and exposure if you are fortunate to work with a supportive manager. However, this varies significantly between departments and is highly dependent on individual leadership styles.
Cons
The office environment isn’t ideal. The HQ is overcrowded, and the "hot desk" policy often means you might not find a place to sit. HR isn’t really there for you. They’ll listen to your concerns out of formality. Most issues are brushed aside or handled in ways that make you feel unheard or even blamed. Even small, reasonable requests could take weeks or be ignored altogether. Management issues are rarely addressed. Unless a group of people speaks up about the exact same behavior, nothing changes. This gives toxic managers a lot of freedom. Once a manager labels someone a "poor performer," it becomes very difficult to move forward—regardless of your actual contributions. The culture can be toxic. Gossip and inappropriate comments and behavior toward female employees are common. It creates an uncomfortable atmosphere. Salaries are often below average despite the company's strong market presence. Leadership often asks employees to appreciate the "lack of lay-offs" to deter any conversations about salaries. Everyone’s under pressure constantly because there are no clear systems or processes in place. There's a lot of favoritism, and internal politics often take priority over actual performance or progress. Health insurance is disastrous, and other perks and benefits are pretty basic and do not align with the company’s image as a leading name in pharma, so manage your expectations accordingly