Lots of Politics and burnout - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

2.0
11 Jun 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It is a great company name to have on your resume for when you go somewhere else and the cafeterias are nice if you ever have a moment outside of meetings. The pay is relatively high as well. There seems to be a real commitment to environmental responsibility.

Cons

Too many meetings, too much bureaucracy and a lot of politics. One would think that in a company as well established as Genentech that the processes would be relatively well established and streamlined. Instead, it is a bloated bureaucracy with lots of emphasis on political fiefdoms where no one is the decision maker and no consensus can be achieved. Major milestones and timelines are missed due to the inability to decide on a specific direction and teams have to parallel track multiple options at the same time. If you are am employee who simply wants to work hard and do a good job, this is not the place for you. If you like politics and trying to show other people up, you will thrive.

Explore other reviews about Genentech

5.0
6 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great salary and team! The interview process was smooth and effective.

Cons

To be determined, but so far many alignment meetings. Some folks have frustuations around the re-org and strategy changes.

3.0
7 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

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