Paid Well Treated Terribly - Executive Director Novartis Employee Review

2.0
15 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Base pay, bonus and LTI are generous compared to other companies. Some very intelligent colleagues. Great products.

Cons

Restructuring every 6-12 months. One can forgive a restructure every few years. However upper level leadership and its consultants seem to have no idea how to lead and operate a company at this scale. There is so much turnover, and the resulting paranoia for one's role passes for whatever is left of "culture" and has left many good people cynical and jaded. There is also a rampant ageism driving layoffs and firing. If you are over 50 there, forget job security - you will be pitted against younger, cheaper talent as a matter of policy. It is full-on hunger games. There are employees who use the internal "SpeakUp" process to try to get ahead by reporting on peers and managers - creating a further climate of fear as people are wrongly investigated and simultaneously being prohibited from in confiding to anyone. Oh and you are expected to be a cheerleader and culture champion. :-D

Explore other reviews about Novartis

5.0
16 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

people are friendly and easy to work with

Cons

daily commute takes longer than expected

4.0
13 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Reputable, great culture, stable and good benefits

Cons

Slow career growth, lots of bureaucracy

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