A lot of work with zero raises - Chemist Alkemist Labs Employee Review

2.0
22 May 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The culture is good. People look out for each other

Cons

Quarterly conversations with pay review never happen. I should’ve had 8 of these reviews during my time there. I only ever had two. No one ever gets any raises, yet people are constantly put in new roles that should require a raise. There’s people there who are “supervisors”, they were “promoted” and have all the responsibilities of supervisors, but their job title never changed and certainly there was no increase in pay. Many people have been taken advantage of like this at this company (myself included), and we’re told our status will change soon and a raise will happen soon and it never does. It really does not matter how much you try and bust your behind at times to help carry the team. Zero notice. Zero compensation based on merit. The CEO could argue that this is because the company is always struggling for money, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that people aren’t paid appropriately from the start. Not to mention that the company spent money to move to a newer and bigger facility about 3 years ago, half of which sits empty. I do think that some people here are undervalued, while others overvalued.

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Alkemist Labs Response
6y
Dear Current Employee - Chemist in Garden Grove, CA, Thank you for your anonymous vulnerability. I am sorry to read this. One of my many goals as your CEO is that all my Alkemites AND their family members are happy with their career here at Alkemist Labs and your feedback is helpful to guide my improvement . While I try not to make my replies here on Glassdoor ‘tit for tat’, there are several inaccuracies in your post, and I won’t allow such to live unchallenged. POINT 1 Quarterly conversations with pay review never happen. I should’ve had 8 of these reviews during my time there. I only ever had two. COUNTERPOINT 1 We lost our lab director and had no lab manager, so all lab supervisors reported to me suddenly. True, I failed to offer a ‘review’ to my supervisors every 90 days (for you for almost 2 years!!). Sorry about that. It’s a tight challenge and I take full responsibility for not living to your expectations. THE FIX 1 I have promoted a worthy Alkemite to Lab Manager and all my direct reports have since been given a Quarterly conversation. The next round is already being scheduled. POINT 2 No one ever gets any raises, yet people are constantly put in new roles that should require a raise. COUNTERPOINT 2 This is inaccurate. In the last 3 years I can count at least 9 promotions and raises. There are likely more I am not recalling. Is it possible you aren’t not privy to such information? We are a small company and development is sometimes too slow for individuals like yourself. Sorry. THE FIX 2 A salary increase is on the table for all supervisors and requires not just taking on new responsibilities but doing so with continuous maturity, professionalism and with grace. Not everyone can achieve those milestones. POINT 3 There’s people there who are “supervisors”, they were “promoted” and have all the responsibilities of supervisors, but their job title never changed and certainly there was no increase in pay. COUNTERPOINT 3 I know of only 1 staff member who fits that category and it hasn’t been anything personal rather See THE FIX 2 above. THE FIX 3 See THE FIX 2 above. POINT 4 Many people have been taken advantage of like this at this company (myself included), and we’re told our status will change soon and a raise will happen soon and it never does. It really does not matter how much you try and bust your behind at times to help carry the team. Zero notice. Zero compensation based on merit. COUNTERPOINT 4 This is inaccurate, See COUNTERPOINT 2 POINT 5 The CEO could argue that this is because the company is always struggling for money, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that people aren’t paid appropriately from the start. Not to mention that the company spent money to move to a newer and bigger facility about 3 years ago, half of which sits empty. I do think that some people here are undervalued, while others overvalued. COUNTERPOINT 5 According to The American Chemical Society pay scales published each year, we start at competitive wages and salaries, and when it is earned continue to grow compensation in the form of promotions with pay increases, really good health care benefits, lots of PTO, and many other perks. Check yourself here https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/know-your-worth.htm before you wreck yourself. THE FIX 5 At our new big facility, for which I placed everything I own including my home and the home of the other owner on the line to get to, there are 5 exits you can leave through if you are dissatisfied. If this place is so bad why you are still here?

Explore other reviews about Alkemist Labs

5.0
12 Dec 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work life balance and community

Cons

high amount of work flow

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Alkemist Labs Response
5mo
Hey! Thanks for this feedback! Regarding the high amount of workflow, would you recommend a particular role that seems understaffed or can use help so the workflow isn't too high? Thanks!
5.0
4 Feb 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The owners' (Elan & Sid) core values' are strongly reflected in how Alkemist Labs feels and operates. Reciprocity and work-life balance are two of the key core values that will resonate with the masses. Comprehensive employee benefits, rec style employee break area, kitchen fully stocked with snacks, fruits, coffee & tea, indoor gym to burn off the snacks, a nap/mother's room, occasional complimentary massage therapy visits, are examples of the thoughtfulness the owners put into the employee experience. For me, the integrity that the owners exude are what separate Alkemist from other labs. They've made it their personal mission to help clean-up the industry that can use policing, This value is communicated down to all employees; so for anyone who cares to make a difference, and not just collecting paychecks, here you'll feel like you're working for the greater good in helping ensure the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements. Having worked at other labs, and hearing feedback from colleagues who have worked at the conglomerate cookie cutter lab (don't wanna name names, but it rhymes with Schmurofins). I'm very grateful to be a part of the Alkemist team.

Cons

I'm aware that starting pay for entry level positions do feel a bit low, although it is on par with industry standards. Like most good things, I'd advise you stick with it, and grow within the company. Aside from gaining valuable experience, if you show good skill, good attitude and eagerness, you can make big strides within a couple of years. Separately, I'm sure I've gained weight due to the unending availability of snacks, I guess that's another way of growing within the company. :-/

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Alkemist Labs Response
7mo
Thanks for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to share all this. If we had a portable basketball court for the parking lot, where should I put it? We'd have to lock it up... BUT it could just take one parking spot, right? Im game... (See what I did there?)...
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