Headquarters is micromanagement and slow decision making at its finest - Anonymous employee REI Employee Review

2.0
Apr 7, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Prodeals are awesome; you get gear and equipment at greatly reduced prices, it's only for employees, not spouses kids or friends & family, but good deals. Dog run is great; I share a space for my dog with another dog owner so we can bring our dogs to work a couple of days per week and play with my dog during breaks in my day. I've been able to work in a couple of different roles but it's very hard to move up or get promoted at headquarters. Culture used to be better, it's been going downhill over the last year or two.

Cons

Micromanagement is rampant at headquarters. Leaders do not trust each other, or lower level managers. Coming from another large organization, so I was used to decision making being slower, but I've never worked somewhere with so little autonomy; every single thing produced must go through several layers of approval before it goes out the door. Decision making is bottlenecked regularly, especially by senior leaders, which slows down timelines and impacts the teams reputation with stakeholders. Multiple leaders are way too involved in the mynoot details on things....and it starts at the top. More and more people are leaving headquarters because they are fed up with the lack of leadership and infestation of micromanagement. Plus people are overworked. I used to be proud to work here but it's hard to recommend this place anymore.

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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