No place is perfect, but they do work at making it better - Anonymous employee REI Employee Review

4.0
Aug 24, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Authenticity in most floor staff and management. Great discounts on gear. Yay Days, (6 hrs of paid time off per quarter) and real encouragement of work-life balance. Active workforce, often participated in outdoor activities with co-workers. Progressive outlook on social workforce issues, inclusive workplace, staunch supporter of outdoor conservation. Grant programs put their money where there views are. Hourly pay is adequate, based on current regional wage minimums, and standards of living.

Cons

Poor technical and operational mis-steps cost time, retail services need upgrades. Staff works hard to hide these inefficiencies of retail operations to ensure best service to customers. For a Pacific Northwest based company, wish there were more opportunities for advancement in other markets.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good managers, deals, coworkers, products

Cons

No cons, I really liked my time.

3.0
May 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most coworkers, some managers, discounts, outfitting people properly without extra nonsense

Cons

Some truly horrible managers, pressure to sell credit cards is a morale killer, the union people. Employees drinking the union kool aid fail to see the company’s position, REI cannot give higher pay, better benefits , consistent hours, etc… with the erratic revenue stream that comes in , if a 5 year average is X in revenue and 5 year average is Y on wages and costs, how are they supposed to increase wages and benefits? It’s numbers and they don’t line up, if REI gives the increases which increases the expenses greatly, they will cut staff, a lot fewer employees which will eliminate a bunch of union supporters, an REI job is not supposed to be a lucrative deal, when you get hired the part time , part time plus and full time options are there and you choose what you want fully understanding what hours you are going to get at minimum, they will hire those positions on a need basis, to cry later that you don’t make enough money is your fault, the terms were clear and you signed off on them. The union is promising rainbows , reality will be far different, careful what you wish for

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