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Harvard University

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Good benefits, OK salaries. - Applications Developer Harvard University Employee Review

4.0
Jun 12, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Harvard has great benefits with four weeks vacation for exempt employees, 3 weeks for non-exempt, 3 personal days, and 12 sick days per year. If you have a good manager they are flexible about work time (for instance starting late and ending late, or starting early and ending early). They also can be flexible about working from home. I asked to telecommute two days a week and to my shock they said yes. This is not necessarily common at every department at Harvard but at least the senior management is open to trying new things, as long as they aren't too new, like telecommuting 4 days a week, which was not approved.

Cons

Harvard is very decentralized so there's very little sharing between groups and departments. While some middle managers are very open to trying new things, like some telecommuting, some are not open to this at all. Since there is no University wide mandate to allow telecommuting, there is no reason for managers to approve it if they are philosophically opposed to it, which has happened. While some managers are very flexible in terms of taking time off, sometimes on short notice, and being understanding when you try to balance work and life, some are not flexible or understanding in the slightest.

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
Jul 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

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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