It was the pharma that everyone wanted to work for - be careful what you wish for! - Director Merck Employee Review

3.0
11 Dec 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Excellent workplace flexibility - I could work from home whenever I needed to. Company store - cheap Merck products Good salaries and benefits Really good people - peers. Everyone works really hard and understands the company mission to save lives and make people feel better.

Cons

Upper management thinks they know what everyone is doing but in truth, do not. People are afraid to say what they think - no "courage and candor" although the company lists this as a core competency. People have gotten their "hands slapped" for speaking up and giving opinions (especially after the merger with Schering-Plough). Company downsizing in order to keep up with the economy, but they don't seem to be changing how they operate in a changing Pharma environment. When the merger happened, Merck said they wanted to have a culture more like Schering but after 2 years, it has reverted to the "old Merck" - see comment on courage and candor.

Explore other reviews about Merck

5.0
20 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Work from home (that may not always be a perk, but it is now for writers), choice of flexible hours (7 AM - 9 AM starting), friendly, helpful people, great bosses, people very interested in their jobs, plus a lot of educational benefits, you are trained on all aspects of Merck and your job.

Cons

I cannot think of any, though sometimes work from home has its drawbacks, because the employee doesn't get all the information that an onsite employee would.

4.0
2 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Over my tenure, I had the opportunity to work alongside highly talented and mission-driven colleagues dedicated to improving patient outcomes. The organization provided exposure to cross-functional collaboration, leadership development opportunities, and meaningful work supporting healthcare providers, patients, and community stakeholders. I appreciated the company's commitment to innovation, professional growth, and serving patients through scientific advancement.

Cons

Like many large organizations, priorities and organizational structures evolved over time, which occasionally created uncertainty and changes in responsibilities. Decision-making processes could sometimes be complex due to the size of the organization, and navigating multiple layers of stakeholders occasionally impacted speed and execution.

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