Outdated technology, not truly agile, heavy reliance on contractors based abroad - Software Engineer-II Elsevier Employee Review

2.0
May 2, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work life balance Ability to work from home

Cons

Team members are mostly contractors based abroad, which makes it difficult to collaborate and practices like pair programming are nonexistent. This is probably just down to luck based on the team you join, as I know this experience isn't universal across the company. Low pay rises, bonus isnt competitive. Oxford offices are hideous, and have terrible facilities (e.g. There's no food options nearby so your only option is the canteen which is overpriced and of terrible quality).

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Elsevier Response
7y
Thank you for your review. We sometimes use contractors due to project peaks. At Elsevier, we encourage collaboration across locations because it allows us to bring varied talents together, and it helps us to further develop a pool of different skills and knowledge. We offer a competitive salary and great benefits package. Most of the reviews on Glassdoor left by our employees located in our Oxford office about our facilities are positive.

Explore other reviews about Elsevier

5.0
May 11, 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
1mo
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
Jun 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Great company -Team has talented, experienced account managers and product experts who know the territory well

Cons

West team management is heavy on micromanagement and sets unrealistic territory targets without rep input — high turnover, and long tenure in company seems to shield this manager from accountability and growth

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