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 5% 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 21 reviews)); "Great people to work with!" ((in 18 reviews)); "The benefits are good" ((in 18 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 7 reviews)); "There is little substantive work and support staff are made to feel guilty if they need to take overtime." ((in 6 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

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (180 reviews)

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 y Organizaciones sin fines de lucro industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

180 reviews

5.0

Nov 28, 2014

Extraordinary Place to Work

Director

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Global perspective. Surrounded by highly intelligent co-workers. Noble cause. Unfortunately, a growth industry.

Cons

Nonprofit salaries are tough to raise a family on.

5.0

Jul 14, 2011

Was a research intern. Was givens substantive work and was treated with respect.

Intern

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

You are doing very important work and you get to substantive work -- that is IF you are a research intern or a real researcher.

Cons

If you are an Associate you are screwed. Being an Associate is nothing more than being a secretary. They are VERY explicit about how these people can't move up in the organization.

4.0

Mar 3, 2010

Be an intern, not an employee

Associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

People are amazingly intelligent and have loads of interesting experience. It's easy to feel good about the work you are doing. Great for the resume.

Cons

Support staff are not always treated with appropriate respect, even though most are very qualified and dedicated workers. There is zero mobility for support staff. Interns get all the interesting work.

Viewing 34 - 36 of 180 Reviews

Jobs at Human Rights Watch

Administrative Assistant - Human Resources Department

Senior Researcher, Criminal Justice