Easy to work hard for this company; big company=lots of politics and bureaucracy. - Senior Acquisitions Editor Elsevier Employee Review

4.0
4 Aug 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good benefits. There is a system or method in place for everything, so things are very regimented. Managers are allowed pretty free range to manage their specific team as they see fit. Large infrastructure. Huge company. Lots of freedom given to the employees (at least at my level) for getting work done and planning their own time appropriately, as long as they achieve their goals.

Cons

Hard to get promoted because everything is so regimented. Not always clear what is going on in senior management. Must really play the political game in order to move up and keep favor with the powers that be. No holiday bonus. Must make goal, or you're watched very carefully, if you miss it by a lot, you're usually put on some kind of probation.

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5.0
11 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Industry leader Great benefits Incentive trips Invests heavily in its employees

Cons

Processes can be burdensome and clunky at times

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Elsevier Response
3w
Thank you for this balanced and thoughtful review. We're glad to hear that our benefits and investment in people are making a positive impact, those are commitments we take seriously. On the process feedback: Leadership is actively reviewing operational workflows, and the advice to listen more closely to employee feedback is something we're holding ourselves accountable to. If you're open to it, we'd encourage you to bring specific examples forward through your team or people and culture contacts. Change is most effective when it's grounded in the real experiences of the people doing the work, and that means you. Feel free to reach out to us at elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to provide more information Thank you for staying engaged and for caring enough to share this. It matters.
4.0
9 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Every direct manager I've had has been excellent: supportive, positive, and trusting me to deliver good work instead of micromanaging. Employees tend to stay, which suggests stability even if not everyone gets promotions or significant raises.

Cons

The pressure to outsource as much as possible, which is common at every publisher, leads to frustration. Because promotions or significant raises seem to be rare, you may be stuck in neutral unless you're very openly ambitious.

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