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American Red Cross

Is this your company?

No real understanding of how the organization works, or what is needed to save the business - Manager American Red Cross Employee Review

1.0
Jul 9, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Overall Mission and dedication of line staff is inspiring. These people keep the organization going despite the mismanagement at the top. As in any organization people resist change, but in this case it is warranted because the proposed changes are usually ill informed.

Cons

Revolving top management continues to disappoint, with decreasing competence. Significant change is required to save the business, and new regimes fail to study the situation before they enact solutions, which are always misdirected. Any employee with any seniority is seen as part of the problem, and therefore is discounted, ignored or displaced.

Explore other reviews about American Red Cross

5.0
Apr 16, 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
Mar 15, 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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