Good greatly pay, but with the extensive hours and little work /life balance, much left to be desired - Principal Scientist Merck Employee Review

3.0
18 Dec 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good pay, good benefits, flexibility to work from home, flexibility for part time for some positions, intelligent and passionate employees.

Cons

Very long hours, lots of turnover and frequent layoffs so never enough coverage, too much bureaucracy for decision making, lots of inefficiencies, mostly Type A personalities, lack of concern for employee work /life balance

Explore other reviews about Merck

5.0
3 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

End of the year shutdown which includes paid time off

Cons

The con for me at the time was that I had to relocate which wasn’t possible

4.0
2 Jun 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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