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American Red Cross

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Biased with no love for employees - Disaster Program Manager American Red Cross Employee Review

2.0
7 Mar 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

When first starting out in this organization, you feel like you are accomplishing something wonderful for humanity. The first 1-2 years are a nice illusion.

Cons

Employees are treated like they do not matter. Volunteers can run over you and bully you continuously without any reproach while you are asked "how have you engaged our wonderful volunteers today?" You quickly realize that, as a paid employee, you mean nothing to the organization and your opinions do not matter. Be prepared for no appreciation to be shown to you and to be allowed to be treated like dirt by the volunteers that run the organization in every way. The organization tries to tell you "it's a partnership" but there is no equality whatsoever. Burnout comes very swiftly for those that have to work at a semi lower level as those that are higher up "consult" with volunteers but are still allowed to have decision making abilities on their own. The organization gets in their own way all too often with their processes. Having to ask permission from the volunteers in a region before instilling something coming from NHQ but yet being told "you will do this" from NHQ is all too common. Employees are in a no win situation in this organization. There is no work life balance, so I would recommend not entering into a job unless you are single and don't care to have time off, ever. You are always on call and you are always expected to have your phone on and emails being read. The organization also claims to be unbiased but will tell you how you should think and even vote (yes vote!) when given the chance. They do not appreciate anyone with a different view on life from themselves and can't be unbiased on anything, they will always take sides and try to force you to stand with them. Unless you are willing to move to a different State/Region, you have to wait for upper-levels to leave in order to promote. By the time you would get there, you most likely will already be burnt out.

Explore other reviews about American Red Cross

5.0
4 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work life balance, fair pay and great work environment

Cons

Not a lot of upward mobility unless you find a different role in the organization. It’s also hard to switch between departments

2.0
15 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You feel connected to a larger mission, and go to bed knowing you did good work. Most of the volunteers are amazing people. The job is a good stepping stone to other disaster management jobs elsewhere. PTO policy is generous and Healthcare is decent.

Cons

You are INCREDIBLY overworked and GROSSLY underpaid. You get zero work-life balance. Even when you're not on call, you'll still get tons of calls from volunteers with questions and concerns. If a volunteer is unavailable to respond to a fire call or tend to any other responsibility day or night, you're on deck. You're salaried, so there's no overtime pay. Your pay barely covers the basic cost of living in today's economy ($40k-$50k). Diversity is bottom heavy, meaning there are lots of employees of color in entry level or lower management roles, but beyond that there's a steep drop off. Most of the volunteers are great, but the Red Cross is so desperate to keep them, that poor behavior and language (racist/sexist/phobic) is not properly disciplined or responded to, if at all. Employee retention is poor, especially in the Disaster Specialist role, because they burn you out so quickly without decent pay.

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