Good till it was not - Footwear Lead REI Employee Review

3.0
Nov 18, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Fun environment where you get to connect with people that love the outdoors, product knowledge, pro deals, group backpacking trips with coworkers

Cons

Corporate, pressure to make membership sales, poor communication about what my role is when promoted to lead, low pay for basically managing a whole department while my manager was always on vacation. I was fired after two years working for REI using my partner's card with my discount while traveling, the total was under $40. Also rang myself up for two sesame snacks while on the register while understaffed and feeling very low blood sugar. I was not aware of the strict rules and had known other employees to do similar things but without any repercussions. This came up four months after it happened and the way they took my statement and passed it along was poorly managed and I felt like I was playing a game of telephone because I never got to talk to anyone directly.

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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