The fish stinks from the head: Experienced people lay off, IT restructuring, Sandoz spin off at the same time - AVOID - Finance Manager Novartis Employee Review

1.0
24 Aug 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Once upon a time, still 5 years ago, it was a great company to work for. Capable people, experience sharing, listening management. Then center of excellence was moved to India, several outsourcing companies took over the full ownership of internal systems and processes, massive lay off of mainly experienced people started, incapable people got promoted or hired to management position, at the same time core IT systems started being replaced and Sandoz separated. Most of the managers are without experience and do not care about people wellbeing, efficiency of processes, usage of internal know-how and improvement of collaboration. The political games took 10% of my job 5 years ago, currently it got to 60%.

Cons

When discovering that behind the massive lay off there is another game - to have less internal FTEs in order to have better stock price, it was quite disappointing. At the same time there are hired many external FTEs through outsourcing, which costs much more money than internals and those external colleagues are coming without the needed experience and knowledge of internal systems, processes and specifics, so at the end it costs even more money. However this doesn´t seem to matter at all, as less internals simply mean better stock price.

Explore other reviews about Novartis

5.0
24 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great company and benefits for an employee

Cons

I didn't see any con yet

2.0
25 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pays pretty well in comparison to similar jobs in the market

Cons

Unstable schedule where you are often asked to come in overnight (1-2 am) regardless of if you have worked the previous day or are off. Basically feels like you're permanently on-call to conduct environmental monitoring. Training is slow. The Micro dept in general is currently understaffed. The job also involves lab work once you are done with your daily environmental monitoring tasks. The work never ceases and the Technicians as a whole has several responsibilities. Promotions seem to come very slowly here.

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