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American Red Cross

Is this your company?

Very challenging and not for the faint of heart, but very rewarding. - Lead Applications Engineer American Red Cross Employee Review

5.0
Jan 8, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Depending on your role, 8+/hr workdays are common, but it's comforting to know you're supporting a good cause. Most employees (and volunteers) are willing to go above and beyond for the company mission. If you are highly skilled and motivated, it's a great place to leave your mark. Management is very open to changes (especially if it means greater efficiency and better use of donor dollars), but you must be prepared to fully support and carry out your ideas. Talk is cheap, and tangible actions are highly valued. If you're not particularly skilled, but highly motivated, it's a great place to sharpen your skills. Management is willing to invest in your learning curve, but expect to be tasked with the same requirements as everyone else.

Cons

The organization is going through some growing pains, so there are many on-going changes. To survive, you'll need to keep an open mind. With new changes, understand that mistakes do happen ("Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity") and that everyone is trying their best to improve the overall organization. The pay is acceptable, but obviously doesn't compare with a for-profit company. (If you're expecting a high salary, why would you work at a non-profit?) If you're unmotivated by the organization's mission, you're going to have a bad time.

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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