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    REI Reviews

    Updated October 23, 2018
    1,400 reviews

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    Full-timePart-time
    3.9
    StarStarStarStarStar
    Rating TrendsRating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
    REI President and CEO Jerry Stritzke
    Jerry Stritzke
    586 Ratings

    1,400 Employee Reviews

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    Pros

    • "really respectful of work/life balance" (in 137 reviews)

    • "Great work/life balance, employee focused company, great discounts on gear, overall positive culture" (in 56 reviews)

    Cons

    • "Work life balance really isn’t a thing" (in 39 reviews)

    • "retail part time trap can be a dead end" (in 97 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons
    1. Featured Review

      Helpful (5)

      "Great Place to Work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Customer Service and Banker
      Current Employee - Customer Service and Banker
      Recommends

      I have been working at REI part-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Its great to work in a place with high values, respect and kindness from the whole team of employees and management. If you work hard and are actually interested in the company and what it stands for, you will go far. but if you treat it like a job at a fast food joint, then you won't get full time. They are great about giving you the hours and schedule you want if you work hard and take pride in your work.

      Cons

      Its still retail so you deal with ridiculous people that come in.

      Advice to Management

      Each management team is different. My management team is amazing and they truly live out REI's core values.

    2. "Sales Associate"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at REI part-time

      Pros

      Great management and work life balance

      Cons

      None - my time there was fantastic

      3. Join the REI team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. "Great Company"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at REI part-time

      Pros

      REI is one of the best places to work for.

      Cons

      Can't think of any now.

    4. "Sales Associate"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Part Time Sales Associate
      Current Employee - Part Time Sales Associate
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at REI part-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Great employee benefits, awesome discounts and a friendly atmosphere to work in. Everyone is welcoming and a real team player. I am not as outdoorsy as other employees but they still treat me with respect for the knowledge I do have.

      Cons

      Retail hours aren't always fun, but that is the case almost anywhere you go.

    5. "Love REI"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Sales Associate in San Diego, CA
      Former Employee - Sales Associate in San Diego, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at REI part-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Friendly co-workers and management
      Employee discounts

      Cons

      Pressure to sell memberships, but not a huge con

      Advice to Management

      None - i think theyre doing everything right!

    6. "crew member"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Crew Member in San Francisco, CA
      Former Employee - Crew Member in San Francisco, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at REI part-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      The culture, the people who work at REI, the ability to move up in the company, the time off, health benefits, retirement benefits, and commuter benefits.

      Cons

      It's hard to survive in the Bay Area working at REI, although if you are a student or someone looking for part time work at a good company with good people, then REI could be a good fit for you.

    7. "Great place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at REI part-time

      Pros

      Awesome co-workers and really comprehensive discounts

      Cons

      You will not stop working until you get off work. Your time is filled and at a premium

    8. "Sales Specialist"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I worked at REI part-time

      Pros

      Awesome environment with great people.

      Cons

      I can't think of any cons.

    9. Helpful (1)

      "Great place to work with well-rounded people"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - HQ/Merchandising in Kent, WA
      Former Employee - HQ/Merchandising in Kent, WA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at REI full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      Fantastic perks and benefits, especially the retirement match %. Deals direct from the vendor, discounts on purchases from REI, schedule flexibility, good health care costs. Company does a lot of good to encourage participation in the outdoors, protecting our land, etc.

      There were some really fantastic people that worked there, people who were legit to the core, and who are willing to take risks, to mentor others, and to really dedicate themselves to the company and what it stands for. Lots of like-minded people, value wise. There used to be a lot of support to grow your career within the company but that is dropping off a bit as the company gets bigger.

      Cons

      Poor accountability. Because the company so rarely fired or laid off anyone, there were plenty of people who just skated along, even if they were no good at their job. People, including upper management, were not given direct feedback which leads to promotion of incompetence or just punting someone who is troublesome around, hoping they will get fed up and leave on their own. It's the "REI nice" - people are nice to your face and don't give you honest feedback so it's hard to improve. Very frustrating for people looking to improve their skills.

      Advice to Management

      While it may be hard to have honest conversations with your employees, just be straight with them. There are too many people just hanging on that don't even know it.

    10. "Mixed Bag"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Corte Madera, CA
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Corte Madera, CA
      Doesn't Recommend
      Neutral Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at REI part-time

      Pros

      The company as a whole is a very noble and honorable company with great goals as far as outdoor education, adventure and stewardship, as well as lots of opportunities for employees both in their proffessional and personal lives.

      Cons

      The location that I was working for had some severe issues as far as personnel. The management team was wildly irresponsible, sharing confidential information to other employees, lack of transparency and candor with staff, clearly played favorites and never spoke to employees about negative performance. As far as the rest of the staff, they tended to be very clique-ish, and seemed to have a hive mind in developing opinions about people (if one of the ‘core’ employees didnt like you, the rest of the store will treat you poorly)

      Advice to Management

      Be upfront with your staff and understand what it is that you should (and shouldnt) be doing in your position

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