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American Red Cross

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Disaster Program Manager - Chicago - Disaster Program Manager American Red Cross Employee Review

1.0
28 Feb 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Helping others was the greatest(and only) reward.

Cons

This is not a job you would want if you have a spouse/children. I was “on call” 24 hours a day for almost 2 years in a row. Serving so many counties that were a great distance from home required that a 90 minute timeframe for service to clients was an unreachable goal. Supervisors would not allow you to respond to home fires alone but would also reprimand you if a client was not served because you couldn’t find a volunteer to go with you. This is a job that you will do well at if you choose to make your life’s focus answering calls, emails, texts and being called away from home in the middle of the night 3 times a week minimum. You still have to work a full day after you respond to a fire at 1am-5am. Supervisors in my location would not allow for paid time off to be taken. This is a job for young people fresh out of college who are willing to be driven into the ground until exhaustion for very little pay and no recognition.

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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