Patagonia Reviews

Pros

Relaxed, open, clean environment to work in with like minded people for a not so hot wage. Keeping the work load in mind, the pay was pretty spot on. There are tons of perks (i.e. free swag, cheap swag, flexible hours, free benefits [to some] and a plethora of other good and different policies).

Cons

It is, after all, just retail. No matter who the company, retail is retail is retail. Also, patagonia is obviously very focused on sustainability. Sustainable growth often means slow growth; here you'll see that's exactly the case. When you get a higher up position within the company at large, you stay - it's good spot to be. That makes it a bit difficult for aspiring young adults (such as myself) to climb the ladder with efficiency you can find in other outdoor retailers.

Advice to Senior Management

larger bonuses (possibly more than a maximum of one yearly) to reduce on retail staff turnover.

Pros

Very casual work environment, lots of flexibility in work hours, on-site daycare and cafeteria. Most of the people working at Patagonia are passionate about the company's stated mission and vision.

Cons

YC's book "Let My People Go Surfing" is an idealized version of the company as it existed 15 years ago. It bears no relation to the way the company operates today. Growth has become the mantra at the expense of the company's soul. Communication from the top is absolutely horrible. Very rarely is clear direction given. The smartest people usually leave in a couple years after they realize there are few opportunities for career growth. More people would leave if there were comparable job opportunities in Ventura.
People often get layed off without warning or cause, most often due to poor management planning. The company claims to be a family friendly, top employer because it makes for good PR, but they do not value the individual person.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't depend on your direct reports to give you the true story about what's going on. Most likely they are only telling you what they think you want to hear in order to keep their jobs. Bring back employee training and prioritize hiring from within.

Pros

Truely Green company with many benefits to employees (day care, free healthcare, organic cafe)

Cons

It is a very large company, so it is difficult to have full viability of the corporate strategy.

Pros

A company & products one can feel proud to represent.
The people you work with are interesting/inspiring & the team oriented atmosphere is unique.
Benefits - medical, 401k, internships.
Promotes from within.

Cons

Not enough feedback or recognition on performance, but it depends on your manager/dept.
It's rare, but sometimes the customer isn't right and the staff feels demoralized when bad behavior is rewarded.
Little room for advancement, so talent walks out the door.

Advice to Senior Management

Create more structure as the company grows and have better contingency planning. Also, more visits and staff recognition from upper management and corporate folks.

Pros

There is a very relaxed working environment, great discounts (sometimes free) on clothes and gear from other outdoor companies, great company agenda and motive, generally friends coworkers and customers, reasonable in terms of breaks and days off, no late nights or early mornings, opportunities for Environmental Grant work

Cons

Standing all day, very little room for real career advancement, low pay in general (good for the industry as a whole, but still not alot overall)

Advice to Senior Management

Doing a good job!

Pros

work life balance
autonomy
open-minded
laid back
progressive culture

Cons

because so laid back often things take a long time to get done

Advice to Senior Management

A bit more communication might go a long way!

Pros

pro deals, flexible time off, friendly work atmosphere. overall a good group of people to work with, company culture extends beyond store

Cons

little communication between sales associates and decision makers. while pay is good for a student, couldn't dream of living on that little

Advice to Senior Management

more communication and transparency. sales staff is often frustrated by lack of communication or warning about changes. While the company encourages a friendly culture, it feels

Pros

I had the best 7 years of my career working here.
Company walks the walk and talks the talk.
Great Life/Work Balance

Cons

Low Pay vs. cost of living in SoCal
Low Attrition/Room for advancement
Company does not grow at rate that retains the best people
Ventura is not the best place to live

Advice to Senior Management

Make sure to keep up with the competition on compensation

Pros

Tremendous brand with great values - at the end of the day you feel good about supporting this brand. Fantastic people. Lots of room for entrepreneurial endeavors. Flexible schedule/hours. Wear flip flops every day to work. On site day care. Work side by side with very happy people. Great subsidized organic cafe on campus. Very little accountability (good and bad). Many business meetings turn into philosophical conversations regarding company values and commitment to the environment - I loved these unusual conceptual opportunities. Easy to take off for a bike ride, run, surf when stress hits the red zone.

Cons

Little turnover and slow growth philosophy make it challenging to move up in the company and grow professionally. Communication from Sr. Mgt in general is challenging here - not always sure what the strategic initiatives are. The last few years this has improved but managing to those initiatives has not.

Advice to Senior Management

Need better strategic planning process - and then communicate with the whole company.