Not the science-based company it used to be. - Avis employé Associate Principal Scientist Merck

Management no longer seems to know what they're doing and changes the game plan from year to year. Stress level can be very high and the layoffs and turnover do not help. Merck used to hold itself to a higher standard than the rest of the industry and was proud to pay at the 75th percentile on average and a few years ago shifted down to the 50th--a clear signal they're no longer holding that standard. They maintain during the year-end reviews they "pay for performance", so if they are now paying average instead of above average, what does that say?