Interesting work, toxic work environment - Analyst RAND Employee Review

2.0
May 9, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Manu interesting projects to work on. If you are curious they work will engage you with different topics and methodology and you will acquire experience in various policy areas. You are trusted to do your work and can have opportunities for development. It’s a good place to learn and if you are a box ticker and don’t mind being payed less than average.

Cons

There is a toxic work environment. There is a culture of avoiding constructing disagreement and conflict. If you think differently on a matter you will not be heard. There is a culture of bureaucracy, processes are made so that any change or innovation is disincentivised and employees views on business development and career development are not heard. Career advancement is made very hard by senior team and you need to fight hard for a promotion or a raise with a low starting salary. The expectations are really high compared to what you are payed or recognised for.

Explore other reviews about RAND

5.0
May 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really flexible hours, amazing project team members, engaging projects.

Cons

You will need to network and find your own projects, sometimes finding ~3-5 projects at one time to ensure full utilization.

5.0
May 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great camraderie and culture (some office locations are friendlier than others!), interesting and varied work (doing project vs program work will largely influence this - ask about which one you'll be doing if you're applying for a general AA posting), excellent benefits (good healthcare coverage/prices, commuter benefits, great PTO accrual and sick time, etc.), pretty good pay. I also have fantastic work-life balance (I rarely think of my job after 5 pm) and the flexible work schedule is nice. I'll stick around here as long as I can!

Cons

Your experience will largely depend on which researchers you work with. Some researchers I've worked with have been the most fantastic leaders I've ever met, and have made my job here a genuine pleasure. Others have been less great. Expect to do lots of "managing up." Again, some will appreciate this, others will hate it, even though it's part of your job. This is minor, but AAs are some of the only hybrid staff who are required to be in the office a minimum number of days each week (currently 2 days). The people I support are rarely in the office or are located elsewhere, so commuting just to sit in virtual meetings feels kind of silly, BUT the offices are newer and comfortable and well-located. Our paid holidays are on the lower end of what's common in DC with your federal employee peers, which is kind of a bummer.

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