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Harvard University

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DON"T BE FOOLED BY THE HARVARD NAME - Anonymous employee Harvard University Employee Review

1.0
Jun 30, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits and perks but for perks if you end up miserable there, aka working every minute every second and OT, you WILL NOT even get the time to explore those perks.

Cons

Again, don't be fooled by the Harvard name. They lure you in with fair compensation but when you step in, you find the work/life balance, good culture and flexibility they pride themselves about are all not true. Yes they largely depend on the school/department you work in and who you work for etc. but my experience has been nothing short of a nightmare. Extremely high politics and lots of backstabbing. No documented training for new hires, very poorly managed processes, cumbersome system to maneuver through, unrealistic expectations out of you giving you tons of meetings barely can chow down your lunch while you try to work your way through orienting yourself to get up to speed. Up to speed them means as a new hire you are treated as though you should perform like you've worked there for at least a year already. Don't kid yourself to stay or even step into those Harvard doors if you want any kind of quality of life.

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5.0
Jul 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Excellent infrastructure, people, breathtaking resources

Cons

None, really. Wish they offered 2 year postdocs at the MHC

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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