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American Red Cross

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Overall good employer but with some setbacks. - Sceduler American Red Cross Employee Review

4.0
6 Aug 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The benefits packages are excellent. Not only are they inexpensive, but they are easily accessible through Human Resources if you have any dilemmas. The pay seems to be competetive with similar positions in other companies. It is easy to take pride in your work knowing that everyday you are saving lives. Most of the people that you work with are decent folks. Loyaly to the employees on just about every level is definitely above average. There are plenty of "personal time off" days given to each employee. They are accrued mostly through time worked and increase with time. After 4 years I have about 5 weeks per year PTO.

Cons

I have noticed throughout my time under the umbrella of the American Red Cross that often promotions are given to individuals that are less qualified than others due to favoritism. Communication between different levels, whether from national to regional or region to district, is sometimes non-existent. The breakdown comes from a constant overload of changes that we bring on ourselves in order to make ourselves better. It is done in good conscience but without any forethought to the follow through or consequences of said changes. Many times the changes fail to go through in some regions or districts and then becomes a huge problem due to that lack of communication. Also at times the changes contradict other changes that have been implemented which makes it impossible to do the job correctly.

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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