ALS Global reviews

2.8

40% would recommend to a friend

(1,495 total reviews)

Malcolm Deane

42% approve of CEO

27% positive business outlook

ALS Global has an employee rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,495 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The ALS Global employee rating is 25% below average for employers within the Administración y consultoría industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

1K reviews
1.0
Sep 7, 2018

Not a place for scientists

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of hours during summer, in fact, mandatory overtime. If you are salaried, they expect at least 50-60 hours per week all year long, which is illegal. If you're a tech and not really interested in science ALS might be tolerable for you.

Cons

Blatant disregard for employment laws, read the employment agreement very carefully before signing because it prevents you from working in the industry for two years after leaving by virture of the fact that you have to agree to not use any suppliers (such as Fisher, VWR, or any other) for two years, employees treated like extensions of the instruments, entrenched management with little to no experience outside the lab they are at, forced furlough or vacation for hourly employees during winter months, science clearly takes a back seat to SOP's regardless of how poorly written the SOP may be, little care for quality of data as far as what it is telling you only that it meets QC requirements, some HR people raised from the lab and not qualified to be in HR, veteran employees laid off then rehired on contract so that their pay and benefits can be cut (I saw this on two occasions in Kelso).

avatar
ALS Global Response
7y
As ALS’ CHRO, I have been upset to read your feedback and have personally investigated each of the matters you have raised. In response, I would say that many of our staff welcome overtime and the additional pay this brings. We use a confidentiality agreement for our employees around the globe, this is a standard practice for most professional employers. We review this from time to time to ensure it continues to reflect market practices in our industry. Regarding your comment on SOPs, we follow the requirements from the external regulators and our job is to perform methods as written by them. We follow these methods to get accurate results for our clients in accordance with these SOPs. With the USA experiencing a boom currently, it has become more challenging to find suitably qualified employees, to address this we have relocated at least 3 employees this summer to Kelso (and other US locations). Sometimes we have needed to recruit staff and then work to train them up. We have an active Learning & Development Program that works to address deficits, but skill acquisition is a ‘work in progress’ in this economic environment. I note your comment on the HR person coming from a non-HR background, not only did she hold an HR certification (SHRM–CP), but she left over 12 months ago. ALS workloads peak in Summer, that is just the way it is, we have trialed a number of methods to address peak workloads, this includes hiring seasonal staff and laying them off at the end of the season or retaining staff and then slowing up their hours. Feedback to us suggests that many people actually like to have the extra time off in slow season to pursue hobbies, travel or spend time with family. We welcome suggestions on how to improve the way peaks and troughs are handled. It is true that we have engaged ex-employees following their resignation as consultants. No one forced them to rejoin us and if they were unhappy about their conditions we would expect that this would either prevent them rejoining or have them approach us about this. Finally, Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback Susan Putters, CHRO
4.0
Sep 6, 2018

Chemist

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Provides thorough training and career advancement.

Cons

Expected to work overtime to get samples out but refuses to pay overtime. Management leaves the responsibility to you to get samples out on time but at times unrealistic when it comes to overtime. Will compensate by letting you go home early on slow days (not often).

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ALS Global Response
7y
Thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback. I am really sorry to hear that your experience working for ALS did not match our intention of creating a great place to work. Regarding your comments on unpaid overtime, our Employee Agreements specify the approach to overtime payments. If you believe that this approach has not been properly followed we strongly encourage you to approach HR locally to get this addressed. We are taking your advice and feedback seriously and if you would like to share more about your experience please contact the Corporate HR management team confidentially by emailing HR.Enquiries@alsglobal.com.
2.0
Aug 31, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent benefits, great coworkers, flexible shifts, experience for new resume

Cons

Inconsistency, threats for layoffs if monthly budget is not reached, lack of care of environment by management, they want you to work like slaves and also get paid like one

avatar
ALS Global Response
7y
We appreciate your feedback and are always looking for ways to improve our culture at ALS.
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