Low pay, poor reward system, big workloads - Senior Editor, the Lancet Elsevier Employee Review

2.0
18 Feb 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible working, central London location

Cons

For anyone wishing to be part of the Lancet group, be advised that salaries are incredibly low in comparison to competitor journals, and does not look likely that they will change any time soon. Annual pay review scores are below rates of inflation so you will be effectively taking a pay cut. Huge workloads and tight timelines only compounded by Elsevier's increasing pressures for the Lancet group to exapnd.

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Elsevier Response
7y
Thank you for your review. Sorry to hear about your experience. Most of our employees enjoy working at Elsevier and they actively partake in initiatives that will continue to make Elsevier a great place to work. Globally, our employees, their leadership teams supported by HR are increasingly unified in further ramping up efforts to build a working environment that is supportive, nurturing and inclusive. Your review will be shared with them. All our employees are empowered to speak up if they are unhappy with any aspect of their work. If you prefer, contact us anonymously via elseviergdrev@elsevier.com Again, thank you for your review.

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5.0
11 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Industry leader Great benefits Incentive trips Invests heavily in its employees

Cons

Processes can be burdensome and clunky at times

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Elsevier Response
4w
Thank you for this balanced and thoughtful review. We're glad to hear that our benefits and investment in people are making a positive impact, those are commitments we take seriously. On the process feedback: Leadership is actively reviewing operational workflows, and the advice to listen more closely to employee feedback is something we're holding ourselves accountable to. If you're open to it, we'd encourage you to bring specific examples forward through your team or people and culture contacts. Change is most effective when it's grounded in the real experiences of the people doing the work, and that means you. Feel free to reach out to us at elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to provide more information Thank you for staying engaged and for caring enough to share this. It matters.
4.0
9 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Every direct manager I've had has been excellent: supportive, positive, and trusting me to deliver good work instead of micromanaging. Employees tend to stay, which suggests stability even if not everyone gets promotions or significant raises.

Cons

The pressure to outsource as much as possible, which is common at every publisher, leads to frustration. Because promotions or significant raises seem to be rare, you may be stuck in neutral unless you're very openly ambitious.

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