Workplace quality and morale degraded quickly - Senior Sales Specialist REI Employee Review

3.0
Nov 19, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- great coworkers - fun if you are not actively looking to advance in the company - access to discounts and pro-deals

Cons

The motto used to be "People over Profit" and since upper leadership has been bleeding money, they have sacrificed so many positive initiatives in the quest to return to profitability. Many retail employees got hours cut drastically without explanation, union busting, store managers who lack basic communication skills, shutting down opportunities to increase access to the outdoors (like rental departments). If you want to advance or develop into leadership roles you must have completely open availability and abandon all critical thinking- making it nearly impossible to have a second job- but they do not pay enough to afford cost of living on a single income. All stemming from lack of profitability but then you turn and see what money does get poured into- huge campaigns for poorly fitting shoes, overproduction of underselling e-bikes, brand trips for influencers (even though staff no longer get to partake in training trips) and ineffective ad campaigns. But fear not-if you exceed all your quarter goals and blow the credit-card application quota out of the water you WILL get a pizza party!

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
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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