Run Happy but not Work Happy - Guru - Field Representative Brooks Running Employee Review

2.0
May 11, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company has ushered in some amazing products, and green initiatives specifically with their LEED certified new HQ. They offer full benefits and perks, but most of the really great perks are only offered those who work in HQ vs those who work in the field.

Cons

Work life balance doesn't exist. Pay is lackluster. Upper management could definitely benefit from efficiency training. On the Guru team in particular, there are a lot of men leading the charge. It lacks diversity in more than just gender. The brand has focused their energy on become a billion dollar company and has started to lose sight of what a running brand is all about. Professional growth is slow and can be stifled if you aren't falling in line like a soldier. Questions are encouraged as long as you don't question their business model.

Explore other reviews about Brooks Running

5.0
Jun 16, 2026
Anonymous contractor
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- excellent employee perks - gorgeous HQ office buildings with amenities - free lunch - supportive and passionate team members

Cons

- parking is not free for employees, but there are commuter benefits to offset that

2.0
Jun 7, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

PTO and benefits are good. There is free lunch and an onsite gym. Employees are encouraged to run and stay active, with office next to the Burke-Gilman running trail.

Cons

The culture is presented as fun and healthy but in reality it is fairly toxic within specific departments and feels very “high school”. It is also very hierarchical with lots of corporate bureaucracy. The company caters more to middle and upper level management, so expect limited growth and development opportunities. Unclear, constantly changing expectations and overlapping job roles are a common theme. Leadership is not held accountable within the organization. People who play the game and assimilate to the culture are rewarded and perpetuate the status quo way of doing things. This leads to a lack of diversity in thought but also diversity in general especially at the leadership level. There is an added complexity to everything that makes even the most simple work difficult. Everyone is overwhelmed by too many meetings and yet there is not a lot of cross-functional collaboration, as all of the teams work in silos and compete for resources. The company is trying to become a more global, but there are a lot of growing pains associated with this. For a growing company with headquarters in a location like Seattle, the pay is low and not competitive enough to attract and retain top talent. The office buildings also face local area constraints like expensive parking which is passed on to the employee. The company incentivizes alternative transportation but it can be difficult to figure out the best way to get to work. There has been reduced flexibility to work from home with more emphasis put on being in the office.

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All