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American Red Cross

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"Business as usual" - Phlebotomist American Red Cross Employee Review

2.0
19 Apr 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fast paced environment, multitasking skills, sense of meaningful work, chance to build relationships with donors

Cons

Although you're collecting blood for the sick and injured it's hard to find a sense of fulfillment in a place where you and the donors are viewed by the higher-ups as just numbers. Mobile blood drives were discontinued in western MA because of money shortage that could have been 100% avoided had management listened to the staff and stopped running ineffective blood drives in towns that notoriously collected far under the goal. When we were told the blood drives were stopping the staff was told to keep everything as "business as usual", but how could be do that when we were constantly being told that there was a perpetual shortage of blood that was only going to get worse? There's a tremendous gap in communication between the collection staff, the relentless and harassing recruitment staff, and management. The hours of operation make little sense (so the company doesn't need to pay us for turnaround time) and it's difficult to balance a work and home life.

Explore other reviews about American Red Cross

5.0
14 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Friendly people and good work

Cons

No cons for this company

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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