Hard to move around, and it's all in who you know and if you're union or not - Anonymous employee Merck Employee Review

2.0
18 Apr 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The greatest part about working for Merck is the feeling that you're affecting many children all over the world. It is reminded everyday that you are impacting those children's and people's lives. The pay is great if you started in the union, or can negotiate your pay and benefit.

Cons

Hard to move around, and it's all in who you know and if you're union or not. If you did not start off in the union your starting pay may not be as great.

Explore other reviews about Merck

5.0
30 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Excellent company to work with.

Cons

No cons encountered so far

4.0
30 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great benefits like medical/dentist/vision, pension, stock option, 401k match. Co workers are excellent, pretty good on site symposiums, lot of diversity clubs/activities. Innovation is extremely welcomed. Diversity in research portfolio. AI/ML is heavily invested to make databases more efficient.

Cons

Micro managing, especially within the biologics department, potentially others. Promotions are limited, and pay bump is poor. Company invests too much in buying companies rather than keeping talent - lay offs let go of great talented people. Merck is afraid of investing into exploratory biology and doesn’t take risk - they even admit they would rather see other companies clinical data or R&D data rather than taking a risk. Although it’s slow going in building new software, current databases are slow and needs much improvement. Extremely poor work/life balance.

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