Does Human Rights Watch pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Human Rights Watch employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Human Rights Watch. This rating has decreased by 6% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Human Rights Watch?

62% of Human Rights Watch employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Human Rights Watch 3.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.3 for culture and values and 2.7 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Human Rights Watch?

Intern (38) , Associate (23) , Researcher (15) , Coordinator (12) , Internship (7) , Senior Researcher (7) , Manager (5) , Associate Director (4) , Development and Outreach (4) , Managing Director (4) , Research Assistant (4) , Summer Intern (4) , Deputy Director (3) , Development Intern (3) , Director (3)

What are the pros of working at Human Rights Watch according to real employee reviews?

"Great colleagues" ((in 24 reviews)); "Great people to work with!" ((in 18 reviews)); "The benefits are good" ((in 14 reviews)); "Gives opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives." ((in 7 reviews)); "Work environment is positive and supportive." ((in 7 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Human Rights Watch according to real employee reviews?

"It is an unpaid internship and living in New York City is very expensive so you have to find means to support yourself" ((in 16 reviews)); "bad management" ((in 8 reviews)); "There is little substantive work and support staff are made to feel guilty if they need to take overtime." ((in 7 reviews)); "The pay is low." ((in 5 reviews)); "Excessive workloads, poor managers and chaotic culture" ((in 5 reviews))

What are employees saying about Human Rights Watch layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Human Rights Watch layoffs and their outlook for job security at Human Rights Watch in 2026.

Human Rights Watch reviews

3.2

62% would recommend to a friend

(180 total reviews)

Kenneth Roth

57% approve of CEO

33% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Human Rights Watch has an employee rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars, based on 180 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Human Rights Watch employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the ONG et associations à but non lucratif industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

180 reviews

3.0

Sep 27, 2018

Senior Associate

Associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing fellow-level colleagues, huge organized workplace, international-looking, amazing benefits

Cons

Almost demeaning position, no professional development, very hierarchical, low care for morale, high demand and little appreciation, lack of trust in management, incredibly problematic with statistics (lower-level employees very diverse and upper management mainly white males)

3.0

Aug 3, 2022

White organization that patronizes and bullies its lower level workers

Associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Unionized. Starting salary was great with excellent benefits. I was left to work independently most of the time and had some room to explore and get acquainted with the physical work space. I had an opportunity to travel to NY for orientation and met other staff from across the US. It was a great opportunity to meet researchers with lived experience and a lot of heart/investment in their countries of origin. Occassionally got to meet funders and became familiar with big-money philanthropists.

Cons

I worked with a very small team and in this case it meant less opportunity for support. I experienced passive aggressive behavior from supervisors - there is no training or accountability for poor communication on their end. I received so many belittling comments when I made mistakes within the first 60 days of employment. On one occasion, I walked into a room with a supervisor and another staff member only to receive “the cold shoulder” the entire time I prepared materials with them. I heard of similar experiences with other associates across the org, sometimes being asked to get coffee / run errands for supervisors.

1.0

Apr 4, 2018

Overworked, underpaid, with limited workers (human) rights

Associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

If you have other options take them.

Cons

The below applies for all European offices. Extremely long hours, intense daily schedule, extra hours are NOT paid, taking compensation time for the extra hours is frowned upon and hard to do, questionable and non-transparent ways of deciding what topic the organization deals with. Payment is very low, after covering the living expenses you are left with nothing (working poor). Limited opportunities for professional development. Interns are UNPAID. Internship positions are given out as favours.

Viewing 10 - 12 of 180 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Other

3.6★Compensation & Benefits

YES

4.0★Compensation & Benefits

UNHCR

4.0★Compensation & Benefits

World Food Programme

4.1★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at Human Rights Watch

Development & Outreach Department Intern

Paris

View job