Red Cross Reviews

Pros

Great to be able to work with the military community

Cons

Had to deal with egotistical attitudes of the senior staff who felt they knew everything and could do everything better than anyone else.

Pros

Your work directly affects lives of patients in needs as blood has no substitute at the moment. The need is constant and we are trying to ensure the blood supply is safe and adequate. The employees are nice and helpful for the most part.

Cons

Again, don't expect to be well-compensated. Being a non-profit facing budget issues, raises and "great" benefits compared to other companies are rare.

Advice to Senior Management

Always listen to the suggestions your direct reports have to offer as they are very intelligent and insightful as well.

Pros

able to move between departments to gain experience in different fields.

Cons

no pay with the Red Cross

Pros

Fulfilling and rewarding work helping people from all walks of life in their time of need with out all the entitlement issues.

Cons

They are feeling the financial pinch just as many companies are these days. Some areas of our restructuring were really well planned out while other areas seem to have been completely neglected in this process. This means that their is a disruption in workflow as they no longer function as a member of a body but more of a tumor.

Advice to Senior Management

Overall excellent - Like many companies in these times they have had to make some hard financial decisions concerning their employees.

Pros

You are making a difference in the lives of others who need help.

Cons

You are not recognized for your work. Management seems to only want MONEY. They keep hiring motr managers and laying off or firing employess- AND volunteers.

Advice to Senior Management

Learn to be nice and helpful, not mean and controlliing.

Pros

*Great Benefits
*Compensation was above market standards
*Strong history in the community

Cons

*Managers too involved in human resource related activities.
*Evaluation was based on character/personality rather than performance.
*No scope for upward mobility.

Advice to Senior Management

Delineate roles and hold leadership accountable for the poor performance of staff. Too many times at staff meetings was the "team is at fault" used. No one person (shift leads) would ever take responsibility and implement action to achieve better results. Please stop appointing leads/supervisors that cannot motivate others to perform at high levels.

Pros

Non-profit, mostly nice employees, free hot cocoa, nice facilities, very organized and effective Youth department at the Orange County Red Cross.

Cons

I held numerous positions at the Red Cross from Volunteer to Youth Leadership to Camp Counselor to Marketing Intern. Though the Youth Department was very well developed, I felt that elsewhere it wasn't. As a Marketing Intern, I was sorely disappointed by the lack of leadership and organization. I wasn't taught very much, was sent to do menial tasks (at one point folding letters and sealing envelopes), and my supervisor often forgot that I was supposed to come in so I was left with little to do. Worst internship experience ever.

Advice to Senior Management

More organization and room for advancement! If you work an entry level job at the Red Cross, good luck advancing, no matter how passionate or experienced you are.

Pros

If you have passion for the mission you will find others like you. You get to help prepare communities for disaster as well as respond in times they need it most.

Cons

Non profit in today's economy can be rough. People don't work here for the money.

Pros

It is a great opportunity to experience teaching. The students range in all age categories, giving you an oppotunity to develop teaching skills and try out the profession.

Cons

There are no set hours. This job is perfect as supplementary income to an existing full time or part time position.

Advice to Senior Management

I think working a Red Cross presents a great opportunity for a young professional or anyone looking to do some volunteer work.

Pros

The work itself is very rewarding- it's a unique organization and no other agency can do everything that it does.

Cons

Extremely inefficient, often does not live up to the public trust. Not a lot of accountability.

Advice to Senior Management

Rebuild trust internally and externally. Focus on the impact to the community, not what the community can do for the Red Cross.