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Harvard University

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Great Benefits and Intellectual Atmosphere - Staff Assistant Specialist Harvard University Employee Review

4.0
Oct 18, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Harvard's benefits for FT employees are excellent. Health and dental premiums are low and the plans have good coverage. Tuition remission helps employees develop new skills (or interests). There's always a ton happening in the community, university and local. My colleagues were excellent at their jobs but also first-rate human beings in general.

Cons

Some egos are wildly out of control, as might be expected. HR's incompetence, combined with Harvard's commitment to term positions (1 yr, 2 yr, etc.) means there's very little job security for the majority of folks, and they cut positions on a whim. Generally, if your advanced degree is not *directly* applicable or required for your position, people act as if it's nonexistent.

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5.0
Jul 13, 2026
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CEO approval
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Pros

Light work if you have the right team

Cons

Low pay for amount of work

2.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Union and benefits for non-profits/higher ed. Wonderful colleagues outside of leadership!

Cons

GSD Development and Alumni Relations (under current leadership) is an incredibly toxic work environment. I didn't realize the intensity of the toll it took on my until after leaving, and I am not one to leave a negative review, but as they are hiring for several positions currently, I wish to share words of caution with applicants. Cons: - Absolutely not a safe space for anyone who is Black, brown, trans, queer, working-class, or disabled - 100% top-down direction. No room for personal exploration, initiative, or creativity. - Minimal guidance from leadership - Frequent pivots, even in the late stages of projects - Petty, immature talking behind your back by leadership - No upward mobility unless the Associate Dean or Dean like you - Deeply disingenuous comments, reflections, and feedback from leadership - Complete lack of transparency on direction, goals, etc. - Small mistakes are made cornerstones of performance evaluations, while leadership routinely missteps. Leadership never takes accountability. - Top-down policy decisions, completely lacking detail, thought, and care outside of legal ramifications - Ever-changing in-office requirements

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