Avoid this pit at all costs - Director Syneos Health Employee Review

1.0
14 Jan 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I honestly could not think of one.

Cons

Low morale fueled by poor management and lacklustre HR. Only the CEO and two levels below are allowed to travel in business class, everyone else despite the length of the flight and how often you do it have to travel cattle class. Telephone landline and internet not provided and only $30 reimbursed every month. This does not cover the cost and leaves all staff out of pocket. Issues (for which there are many) are never resolved as most issues stem from ineffective staff that are too entrenched in their jobs due to length of tenure as opposed to actually having the necessary skillset to do the job. Bullying, backstabbing and gossiping is commonplace. Snr management externally spouting how well the company is doing however freeze on headcount, pay cuts or no pay increases or no/low bonuses are a common theme and are due to “lower than expected performance from the company as a whole Quality staff are bullied out the door as their talent shows up managements lack of talent. No work/life balance. You will be required to attend calls at all sorts of strange hours and if you express concerns you are pegged as a person who isn’t serious about the job. Depending on your role you may be required to travel a lot. Don’t expect any thanks if you work weekends or spend weekends in foreign places away from home. No compensation, time in lieu is given to staff that literally put their personal lives on hold to deliver on projects. Horrible point system for recognising colleagues where managers are given 120 points to divide among 3 staff as a type of reward system. 1 point equals 30cents. Constant turnover as people get fed up with the way they are treated. Impossibly hard to hire staff into key roles so remaining staff are drowning in work. Most project managers and clinical team leaders are working at around 1.5 FTE in reality but not recognised by management as the ‘documented’ FTE is far lower than the actual. Anyone who complains is usually informed that they have time management issues when the reality is that most of the proposal forecasts are between 30-50%lower than where they should be but are lowered to reduce the cost to win the award. PMs are constantly harassed about not managing the budget when it is clear that the proposal does not have enough hours to cover the work. Carrot dangling is elevated to a new art form at Syneos. Promises of promotions are never delivered upon, usually financial reasons are given for holds on promotions.This happens every year. I could not think of a worse place to work, if you are offered a role here, think twice about leaving your current employer. Career prospects are minimal, they already have about three too many layers of oversight/management. Convoluted escalation pathways where nothing is ever truly resolved as most management keeps their head buried in the sand hoping that you will stop complaining.

Explore other reviews about Syneos Health

5.0
21 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Incredible management, very communicative, most supportive and kind people i have ever worked with. They want to see you succeed on your contracts and are your safe space for questions and learning. I have never been more pleased with a company. Unlimited PTO

Cons

Most of their recognition is paid out in internal points instead of actual money

4.0
4 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Less travel and great managers/ coworkers

Cons

Workload can be overwhelming. Lacks trainings for company systems and disorganized.

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