Merck KGaA reviews

4.0

80% would recommend to a friend

(2,090 total reviews)
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Kai Beckmann

73% approve of CEO

60% positive business outlook

Merck KGaA has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 2,090 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Merck KGaA employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Farmacéutica y biotecnología industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
2.0
May 5, 2013

This company is 345 years old, and it shows !

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A multinational which is spread all over the world, with interesting businesses in chemical, life sciences and advanced materials

Cons

Merck is like the Titanic. It is so old, so processes- and paperwork-plagued, that it is not possible to change its course, even if a big business iceberg is right upfront. For the employees who'd like to see changes and innovation, there is no hope, only despair... And career is blocked, because you can get up only if you are as old in the company as the dinosaur you would replace (30+ years is common in upper management)

1.0
Jul 25, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good science and technology company.

Cons

If you've ever wondered what it's like to work in a leadership vacuum, look no further. Three years at EMD Serono taught me everything I never wanted to know about mismanagement, poor communication, and the art of pretending things are fine while everything burns behind the scenes. Leadership in IT? Imagine a GPS that proudly gets you lost, then blames you for following it. Decision-making is arbitrary at best, with strategy shifting weekly based on which executive had the last meeting or read a LinkedIn post. Innovation is discouraged, initiative is ignored, and incompetence floats straight to the top. Want career growth? That’s adorable. Promotions are either nonexistent or handed out based on politics, not performance. The only skill that really matters here is how well you can smile while being micromanaged by people who have no idea what your job actually entails. As for morale? Picture a department-wide eye-roll stretched across a decade. Avoid if you value your time, sanity, or professional self-respect.

1.0
Sep 9, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working at the company has been a fantastic experience for several reasons. Firstly, the company's values align perfectly with my own, creating a positive and motivating work environment. Secondly, it provided a stable workplace where I felt secure in my role. Additionally, the competitive salary offered by the company was always appreciated. One of the highlights of my time at the company was the remarkable products we had the privilege to work with. The quality and innovation behind these products made each day enjoyable and rewarding. Moreover, the team I had the pleasure of working with felt like an extension of my own family. The camaraderie, support, and collaboration among team members made for a truly exceptional work atmosphere, and I am grateful for the strong bonds we formed. Overall, my experience at the company was incredibly positive, thanks to the alignment of values, job stability, competitive compensation, outstanding products, and the wonderful team I had the privilege to be a part of.

Cons

The source of the problem lies with the Sales Manager and the Business Unit Leader. Since their tenure within the company, their professional competence and attitude towards employees have fallen below acceptable standards. The daily workflow is impeded by unreasonable requests and directives that are difficult to adhere to. Their actions appear to be primarily driven by ill intentions, often tainted with a hint of jealousy. They do not welcome constructive feedback, and only their own ideas are allowed to materialize. Their motivating approach relies on intimidation. Furthermore, there is a noticeable bias within the team, as they tend to show favoritism towards colleagues who have personal connections (they seem to exclusively hire through this channel). In my work, their focus seems to be solely on finding faults, and they are quick to threaten written warnings for even the slightest deviations. During meetings, there is a prevailing atmosphere of mockery towards employees, resulting in the wastage of valuable time. Despite the team's attempts to provide feedback, there has been no constructive dialogue established between the leadership and the team. Our performance was not evaluated based on sales results, despite several of us consistently achieving commendable results month after month. These achievements were evident from the list of reports. Work/life balance has also been greatly compromised: under the mentioned regional manager, numerous late-night list compilations, data reconciliations, and preparation for meetings were conducted since we received all critical materials at the last minute, often on weekends, completely disregarding our personal lives. As a consequence of all these activities, more individuals left the company within a short period.

Viewing 52 - 54 of 2,090 Reviews

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