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 19 reviews)); "Great people to work with!" ((in 19 reviews)); "The benefits are good" ((in 16 reviews)); "Flexible hybrid environment, unionized support staff, amazing coworkers, learning every day" ((in 7 reviews)); "Gives opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives." ((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)); "The pay is low." ((in 5 reviews)); "Excessive workloads, poor managers and chaotic culture" ((in 5 reviews)); "Long hours and not particularly well compensated" ((in 4 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

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.

5.0

Mar 26, 2018

Coordinator Outreach and Development

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits and great vacations

Cons

Too much turn over among staff

4.0

Mar 22, 2018

Great Experience

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I was a summer intern and had a great experience at HRW. People are very friendly and very willing to get you on projects.

Cons

Unpaid, often times unstructured work days with no work for interns

Viewing 124 - 126 of 180 Reviews

Jobs at Human Rights Watch

Administrative Assistant - Human Resources Department

Senior Researcher, Criminal Justice