Leadership Is the Core Problem — and It Shows. - Anonymous employee Khaite Employee Review

1.0
Oct 9, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Employee discount is nice, and employee sales. Including the occasional incentive contests to win product. Pay is very competitive. Product speaks for itself.

Cons

The leadership is completely dysfunctional. From Store Directors to especially the Assistant Store Managers. Management operates on ego, not ability. They micromanage, play favorites, and have no idea how to inspire or support a team. Communication is chaotic, direction changes daily, and accountability is nonexistent. It’s like watching people in charge of a luxury brand behave like it’s a high school clique. Turnover is through the roof because good people refuse to put up with the nonsense. The few who stay either give up or get dragged down by the constant drama and double standards. There’s zero professionalism, no consistency, and absolutely no respect for employees’ time or talent. Management has no sense of accountability or respect for anyone’s time. They stroll in late without consequence, but if an associate is even a minute behind, it’s a full-blown issue. The hypocrisy is exhausting with their “point” system.

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5.0
Apr 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Positive employee interactions Learned a fair amount

Cons

Mostly closet work and organization tasks

1.0
Jun 26, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The employee discount is good.

Cons

My time at Khaite was deeply disappointing. While the brand enjoys glowing press and a carefully curated public image, the internal culture is dysfunctional, unsupportive, and at times, downright toxic. The work environment is rigidly hierarchical, with decisions dictated from the top down. Creative input is rarely welcomed unless it aligns with leadership’s preconceptions. Micromanagement is the rule, not the exception, and fear—not innovation or collaboration—drives most of the day-to-day work. There is no path for internal growth based on merit. Promotions and opportunities are not awarded to the most hardworking, talented, or dedicated team members, but to those who are favored by leadership or willing to play internal politics. It’s disheartening to watch high performers go unrecognized while others are advanced based on proximity to decision-makers, not actual contribution or skill. Work-life balance is non-existent. Long hours are normalized, expected, and rarely acknowledged. Burnout is widespread, and high turnover reflects how unsustainable the environment is. There’s little support, and even less appreciation. Compensation is average at best, and benefits are nothing to write home about. There's minimal effort to invest in employee development, mentorship, or training. Job responsibilities often shift without clarity, and expectations are rarely communicated effectively. Lastly, I feel obligated to mention the suspicious pattern of overly positive Glassdoor reviews. They often appear in batches, using similar language and vague praise. It's clear they are part of a strategy to counteract genuine negative feedback. These reviews do not reflect the actual experience of most employees who have worked behind the brand’s shiny façade. In short, if you’re looking for a respectful, meritocratic, and creatively fulfilling work environment, I strongly advise looking elsewhere. Khaite may produce beautiful collections, but it does so at a steep human cost.

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Khaite Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. While we’re disappointed to hear that your time at KHAITE did not meet your expectations, we genuinely value your feedback and the opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to evolve. At KHAITE, we are committed to fostering a culture of creativity, integrity, and growth. Like any fast-paced, high-growth brand, we are constantly learning and striving to balance excellence with empathy. While the feedback you’ve shared does not align with the values or the day-to-day experience we aim to create, we take it seriously and would never dismiss it outright. We are proud of the talented team that powers our work, and many of our initiatives—including regular performance check-ins, development path frameworks, and evolving training initiatives —have been designed to recognize and reward contributions based on merit, not proximity. That said, we recognize that no system is perfect, and we welcome the opportunity to improve wherever possible. We also want to address your concerns about work-life balance and transparency. We’ve made meaningful strides in these areas, including clearer communication of expectations, investment in manager training, and more structured development opportunities. Change takes time, and we understand that individual experiences may differ. Lastly, we want to be transparent: all employee reviews—positive or negative—are valid, and we never ask or incentivize our team to post feedback. When reviews are positive, it's because individuals have had a different experience, and the positive sentiment is very much in line with our most recent employee engagement survey results. If you’re open to it, we’d appreciate the chance to connect directly to better understand your concerns and learn from your experience. Please reach out to our People Team if of interest. We sincerely wish you the best in your future endeavors and thank you again for sharing your perspective.
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