Great mission, challenging work environment - Director AARP Employee Review

2.0
14 Oct 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

AARP's mission is a shining north star. As a career move, you will be happiest if you work there for a very short time for the experience, then leave.

Cons

The company lacks appropriate focus to execute on that mission. Focus on what you do well. Eliminate slow management structure. Look around at the world as it is and change what you are doing before you lose all relevance to GenX and future generations. There is no way for employees to get promoted. Management does not see the value in current employees. Instead, they always look for the next great person or thing. This does not engender a strong internal culture; instead, mid-level managers are all fighting over territory and employees are keeping their heads down and trying not to get noticed so they won't get caught in the crossfire.

Explore other reviews about AARP

5.0
28 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

great benefits even for interns like free lunch, reimbursed parking, hybrid work. good opportunities to network, hone your skills, and potentially get a permanent role within the organization.

Cons

long onboarding. lots of hr training.

2.0
2 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

benefits are strong - pension, vacation, sick, caregiving work life balance is generally good

Cons

AARP suffers from a serious toxic work culture, particularly in the IT and Digital Transformation departments. Leadership is atrocious. People leading the 2 key technology functions for the business are incompetent and ego maniacs. Both departments are extremely toxic with burned out employees and contractors. Money gets wasted in the extreme due to these factors. Constant signal switching on projects and priorities. Everyone you work with is unhappy. Bullying and retaliation are common. Avoid these departments in particular, but the whole organization is top heavy, with terrible leadership all around. Still there are some great and talented people, but it's not the norm, and senior leadership is wrought with incompetence and arrogance. The organization flails around endlessly, and blows money with no discipline or rigor to their work and methods. Think someone is juicing the Glassdoor numbers with people saying the place is great. No opportunity for growth. The organization tries to do good work, and does in many ways, but it's so poorly run that it severely hampers its potential.

4
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