Elsevier reviews

4.0

79% would recommend to a friend

(2,189 total reviews)

Kumsal Bayazit

90% approve of CEO

75% positive business outlook

Elsevier has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 2,189 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Elsevier employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Audiovisual y medios de comunicación industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
2.0
Nov 13, 2025

Disappointing culture behind closed doors

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great programs for inclusion and diversity. CEO seems to genuinely care about staff and the mission.

Cons

Many toxic people spending their time managing up and bullying down. It's a pressure cooker for stress related illness and burnout. HR often minimise bulling issues and toxic managers often go unchecked. Promotions are often actioned behind closed doors and reward those who play political games instead of facilitating work. HR will actively discourage negative feedback for fear of patterns emerging around toxic managers and colleagues.

1.0
Sep 30, 2024

Lack of Support and Diversity

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Supportive team, modern office, and flexible remote working options.

Cons

While the company has potential, management is often unsupportive, and these concerns are not adequately addressed. There is a noticeable lack of focus on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Diversity seems to be overlooked, with promotions often favoring certain groups, which can create a discouraging atmosphere for non-white employees. This is not a welcoming environment for those seeking fairness and growth, especially if you value diversity and inclusion.

avatar
Elsevier Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're disappointed to hear that you felt unsupported, as we’re committed to fostering an environment where every team member feels valued and empowered. This is not what the majority of our over 9,000 employees experience. At Elsevier, we’re known globally for our dedication to a diverse and inclusive culture, and it’s a priority for us that all employees due for promotion are recognized for their contributions, regardless of race, gender, or background. Our teams are constantly evolving, and we’re actively working to address any concerns brought to our attention, including those related to inclusion and support. We welcome further dialogue - elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to gain more insight as we strive to ensure every employee experiences a fair and supportive environment. Thank you again for your review.
1.0
Sep 27, 2024

Bad middle management

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work like balance, 100% remote

Cons

- bad manager who has no idea what they were talking a about. Taking all of the credits to be their own and often throw employees under the bus by pointing fingers - no knowledge of the product they manage and try to come up with solution to make the product even worse. - micro-managed - no transparency - 1:1 just kept asking what lease to update and always said that makes sense the. Turned around throw the employee under the bus by saying oh I am not aware of this.

avatar
Elsevier Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We’re sorry to hear about your experience and understand how disheartening these issues can feel. As no specific team, role, or location is mentioned, it’s challenging for us to investigate these concerns in depth. We take feedback around management and transparency seriously and continually work to ensure all teams foster a supportive, informed environment. We encourage you to contact us directly - elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to better understand and address this. Your insights are valuable as we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels recognized, empowered, and supported.
Viewing 292 - 294 of 2,189 Reviews

Glassdoor has 2,534 Elsevier reviews submitted anonymously by Elsevier employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Elsevier is right for you.