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American Red Cross

Is this your company?

Terrible Place to Work. Management (at all levels) has no idea what they are doing. - Regional Disaster Program Officer American Red Cross Employee Review

1.0
1 Jun 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This used to be a great organization but over the past 3 years has disintegrated into a shell. VERY top heavy on ineffective management and fundraising staff. It is becoming primarily a fundraising organization with very little attention paid to its frontline service delivery. A series very serious errors have been made by the leadership over the past few year that continue to be in their positions - despite widespread knowledge that their policies have resulted in the dismantling of the organization.

Cons

A very negative working environment. They eat their young at this place. This used to be a great organization but over the past 3 years has disintegrated into a shell. VERY top heavy on ineffective management and fundraising staff. It is becoming primarily a fundraising organization with very little attention paid to its frontline service delivery. A series very serious errors have been made by the leadership over the past few year that continue to be in their positions - despite widespread knowledge that their policies have resulted in the dismantling of the organization.

Explore other reviews about American Red Cross

5.0
16 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

My experience working with the Red Cross has been great. The work is fulfilling and the people are passionate. Benefits are good - Kaiser is $6 a month!

Cons

There is work life balance, but there is an expectation to work nights and weekends.

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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