Sweatshop Environment in Statistical Programming - Statistical Programmer Novartis Employee Review

1.0
Jan 13, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You can negotiate a good contract rate because contractors don't want to stay there for very long.

Cons

Sweatshop environment. You will be harassed by programmers from India, because they believe in that because you are paid a good rate, you don't deserve to work in a professional environment. The Indian Programmers that work there are not statistical programmers and do not have a pharmaceutical background. You will be asked to verify programs with incorrect specifications, and when you document why they are incorrect management will ignore it and tell you to work faster. When you are creating programs in development, you won't be given any specifications. Very poor SDTM standards which do not pass muster with the FDA. Since management doesn't care at all about quality, they should simply have their Indian programmers do all the work and they can then deal with the 1000 questions from the FDA after the submission.

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5.0
Jun 15, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay and great benefits

Cons

Currently under stress of multiple LOEs and cost cutting. Reorgs happen a lot

2.0
May 25, 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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