Merck & Co., Inc.

"Great family leave policy and flexible work arrangements. Make sure you are transparent in setting your boundaries and understanding work-life integration (balance is a myth in corporate America). There are many leadership opportunities throughout the company--even outside your role--to showcase your skills and develop professionally if you are interested."

"It is a hustle to land a full-time role here. In fact, you work as hard trying to distinguish yourself with a myriad of associates as you spend doing your actual work. However, if people don't know you and you don't have an advocate pushing for you, much of your time will be spent as a contractor. The reward though, is great benefits and a good salary in a company that is much more than Pharma."

"Great place to work for women and men — while Merck promotes female advancement more so than other companies, there is still work to be done in terms of diversity and inclusion. "

"Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo once you have earned the right."

"nothing more to add to this question since i was laid off"

"The hours are flexible and colleagues are understanding that you have kids. "

"Come in ready to prove yourself more than a man has to!"

"The culture is that of the "good old boys club". "

"There are flexible options, but be prepared to work like a dog and make up for flex time on off days or at night. "

"Worked here for over 15 years in different roles and different areas of the country. Women working in HQ have access to many more options than those in field sales, for example: onsite childcare options. Women are treated fairly, but senior leadership is male-dominated, so much so, that the company has recently made a public declaration to diversify senior leadership, with a target of developing women and minorities for leadership positions."

"I've worked at Merck for over 10 years now. I've consistently been told, since the beginning, by colleagues that Merck was never this way before--its gotten progressively worse. I work in IT, so there is probably 1 woman to every 10-12 men, and there are very few women in management roles. Merger, downsizing, and outsourcing have all taken their toll. Peter Pan syndrome is rampant, and a good many of IT leaders have been put into people management roles they are not well-suited for. A colleague recently said 'we are a rudderless ship' of our smaller organization and I would have to agree."

"Management is male dominated. Very few women even in "middle management". High priority placed on PhD, which fewer women have. A few token women in high profile management positions, but definitely not the norm."

"I believe women are not earning on par the same salary as their male Counterparts for the same work ."

"Old School white male culture that even African American leadership has assimilated to continue with no progress for woman. If you are AA male you can lead but about the only minority that succeeds in the higer ranks. Backsliding and lack of vision on goals to raise woman in the ranks. Poor talent management for all regardless of race, gender etc. Good old boy system. Huge talent drain w merge and downsizing. Unable to attract top talent. New leader want to hire mellenials only and age discrimination is rampant."

"I have worked here for over 20 years.. There is a great deal of diversity in the technical staff. This is in contrast to management, that is white-male dominated. Increasingly,I find myself as the only woman at a meeting or on a team. I never thought that it would make me uncomfortable, but it does. There is not a supportive environment of women leaders to serve as mentors. This is the result of women leaving the organization, both voluntarily and involuntarily. The voluntary departures are most disturbing. The This lack of diversity has been noted by company leadership. There are initiatives that are trying to address this, but they are reactionary and I fear are not taken seriously."

"I think the company has a lot of flex able options that help working mom's, however I do believe leaving for maternity is held against st the end of the year. When your review is done the time out is held against your rating leaving to fall in a letter wee bracket."

"female leadership positions are few"

"Salary and benefits are just ok."

"I've been with the company for a little over 5 years. Generally I enjoy working here, the salary is very good for the area I live in. However I recently found out that the department I work in has hired males and females at different starting salaries a few years ago (men have higher salaries than their counterpart women with same education, background, age and experience). For the most part (salary excluded) I believe women are treated fairly but management is male-dominated and not diverse, which makes it tougher for women to "network" with them. Most of the few females that are in leadership roles are there based on connections they have (family members in higher positions) and not based on merit or leadership skills. Others are clearly put in leadership roles because they are easily manipulated by the higher management and fail to have a strong personality that protects the interests of their own team."

"Gender politics coming into play varies by department and management, and is difficult to prove. I'd be more worried about overall office politics than any kind of discrimination based on gender. From what I understand, maternity leave is a joke. You can get paid for some of it if you have Aflac and don't sign up for it when you're already pregnant (it cannot be a 'pre-existing condition')."

"There are many women working here, but could use more women in upper management positions. Good maternity leave and benefits, including childcare discounts and back up babysitter options."

"Make yourself known"

"Have confidence in yourself. Focus on strategy and networking. You will always get the work done, but it's the relationships that matter for your future."

"Get involved in the Merck Women's Network, network up, find a sponsor, connect with a mentor, do things that might scare you, be on the offensive when it comes to career development (i.e., don't wait for someone to come to you for opportunities); ask for what you want."

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"There is certainly opportunity to prove yourself as a woman. A lot of women are in high positions. Relationships are important."

"I've worked here for 6 years and have met a lot of great people. Sometimes the expectations have been very demanding but overall it is fair. It is a complex organization so knowing the right people and building relationships is very beneficial. It can be difficult to move around and it seems like in this day and age you have to know some one to get where you want to go."

"Avoid. Yes that salary is for a project specialist - not a clerk. Bonus was NOT $10,000; this site didn't even think to make just $5,000 as a bonus option. Now you tell me of any men at this rate? No in-line promotions for years; 2% cost of living increase for 5 years means 'average' rated individuals get 1.8%."

"It's changing"

"Solid company."