Pros
Decent potential for growth within the company. Management is somewhat all over the place depending on department but my direct managers are understanding and competent. Pay is fair. Majority of the roles do not require extensive previous experience. Paid monthly team building exercises are held for each department which is nice. The company holds a summer party and a winter party every year which are very fun. The company president tries to listen to employees’ concerns (but it might be performative). Depending on department, the work is enough that it doesn’t get overly boring (mine is pretty varied). Some opportunities to work overtime and make more money. Hard to get fired unless you make mistakes with malicious intent.
Cons
The potential for higher pay/career advancement isn’t great even after years of working. Basically this is really more of a good “starter job.” Some management is incompetent/uninterested in helping their employees. Pay could be better. Depending on department the work can be very boring. Occasionally there is an employee that is clearly unfit for laboratory work but they continue working because HR/management refuse to fire anyone. There is a trickle-down effect of accountability where the senior/long-term employees are shielded from blame and the lower-level employees are blamed for their mistakes instead.