Vantaggi
Not exactly sure if it's a PRO, but having Merck as a client is a good advantage if you are contracted to work on Merck-sponsored trials.
Svantaggi
1. Lack of clarity over salary hike - it has been more than six months since the official merger/acquisition, and no one (Line Managers, their bosses, or ICON management) knows what the pay bump will be or when it will be effective. 2. Lack of Sick days - For a European based company, this is such a low blow to not have sick days. You are forced to use your PTO when you are sick. 3. Low Pay - Compared to other CROs like IQVIA, I believe the pay range is low unless you threaten to leave the company. However, you can only pull this stunt once before they decide to let you go. People are leaving, but management is deaf to concerns over pay. 4. Duplicity - Legacy ICON employees get pay bumps and bonuses. However, Legacy PRA employees get none. Why? No one knows, and no one can answer. Shouldn't a merger mean that all employees are under one organization? 5. Removing existing benefits - ESPP (stock plan) was removed upon the merger. Internet reimbursement is non-existent for new employees and has been reduced to $40 (from $125). So not only are we paid less, but now we are also losing money by not getting internet expenses reimbursed as before - losing $1000 per year for existing employees. 6. Need to update technology - some of the systems and processes being used and implemented are so outdated compared to PRA's systems. It feels like the merger was only done to prop up ICON's numbers in trying to become one of the largest CROs. 7. People leaving - due to frustration over pay, benefits, and lack of clarity over the above-mentioned issues. That results in an increased burden over the other CRAs. I have been assigned 8-9 protocols in different stages (actively enrolling, follow-up only, closeout) and I am struggling to keep track of the numerous changes that are implemented on a regular basis. I need to stress that I cannot take any more sites/trials. Attempts to give away trials only result in an even exchange - which is not helpful and only adds more burden due to new protocols that I would need to learn and understand.