Great job...until you realize there's more out there - Store Manager REI Employee Review

2.0
Apr 17, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits are great, the time off is quite flexible, and you work with amazing people who will teach you everything you want to know about the outdoors.

Cons

You have to sell your soul. They do a great job of pretending to the outside world to espouse values that they pay Fortune magazine to make it sound like they uphold, while trampling on those values and devaluing the people who work for them. Internally they also do a great job of making you think there's nowhere better to work. It's true it's a trade-off - flexible scheduling traded for weekends off and knowing you'll see your family for dinner and holidays; great healthcare traded for a livable wage; kowtowing to 20-something inexperienced "managers" traded for accountability and responsibility and being respected for your hard work and knowledge.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
May 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

People and incredible work culture. REI truly walks the walk when it comes to company culture. Significant amount of focus on people and values in a genuine way. Exceptional benefits and pay. Making medical coverage available for all employees part time and full time.

Cons

Not many negatives to share.

3.0
Jun 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Excellent coworkers - REI does a great job of hiring enthusiastic and personable staff - Slightly better pay compared with other retail in the area - Prodeals and discounts - Flexible hours - Good (although rapidly diminishing) healthcare benefits

Cons

- Once a (better) company known for its investment in knowledgeable and friendly staff via extensive training and investment, the company has been slowly slashing away at most of what makes it special since the pandemic - Hours and benefits are worsening, proper employee training is becoming hard to come by - lots of mediocrity and sometimes questionable ethical calls made by management - Punitive disciplinary policies that seem to be designed to create higher turnover (advantageous to them given the gradual pay, benefit and policy changes)

4
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