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 (14) , 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 22 reviews)); "Great people to work with!" ((in 19 reviews)); "The benefits are good" ((in 15 reviews)); "Loved working there and learned a lot" ((in 8 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)); "Monotonous work, few opportunities for engagement with the advocacy work or research that HRW does" ((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)); "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

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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

4.0

Jun 10, 2010

Human Rights Watch

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

One of the most respected human rights organizations internationally. HRW does not receive funding from governments, which allows for independent agenda setting and objective reporting. Salary comparatively higher than other human rights organizations. Leadership open to feedback and input from staff.

Cons

Given the size of the organization, action and response tends to be slower. Reports take too long to be published.

1.0

Jun 18, 2025

should be better

Researcher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Offers a rare opportunity and powerful platform to do human rights work, and there are lots of great experts working there.

Cons

Often feels more like a corporation than an NGO, complete with fat cat salaries at the top. Lots of performative concern and fake consultation by leadership. Nasty internal culture, and a level of bureaucracy that makes it hard to get anything done. Staff feel mistreated by management and very demoralized.

1.0

Apr 8, 2025

Horrible place to work

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

They allow you to work from home.

Cons

There's so much racism, American supremacy and petty, pointless internal politics. They're extremely extractive and paternalistic in their relationships with local in-country partners. They have institutionalized hazing and are very committed to hierarchy (at the expense of expertise). You'll probably develop anxiety, insomnia and a host of other psychosomatic conditions & lose your self -confidence because of your working conditions (and not your actual work).

Viewing 22 - 24 of 180 Reviews

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch reviews

Company ratings over time

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should be better

Horrible place to work

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