I've never experience a more toxic, back-stabbing work environment in my entire career. - Anonymous employee RH Employee Review

2.0
Aug 10, 2011
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The pay and benefits are above average in the industry. The products are of decent quality. The commute is easy for anyone living in Marin County or San Francisco.

Cons

The only people who succeed at Restoration Hardware's Home Office are syncophants who never question anything said or done by the Co-CEO, Gary Friedman. The entire Home Office is a joke -- it's run like some childish popularity contest where you only succeed by back-stabbing your co-workers. There's no support from upper management as they are all only concerned with their own personal financial success. Even as they were doing three separate, massive layoffs in the course of less than two years (2007-2008) no one in upper management took a minimal pay cut or even considered it. There is completely wasteful spending on the part of Mr. Friedman that never allows for the proper level of staffing at the lower levels of Home Office -- some people work 60-70 hours a week while others enjoy daily two-hour lunches and don't even work 30 hours, even though they are salaried. This company will NEVER be successful until it cleans out the entire upper management team. And because it's such a toxic environment, the turnover rate is astronomically high as all the talented people have other options to find work elsewhere, so what you're left with are the less talented people who are stuck there becasue they can't get hired anywhere else. Sad.

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5.0
May 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Experience working for on of the leading innovators in the design industry.

Cons

The scheduling department being in a regular call center and not the gallery

4.0
Feb 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

One of the strongest aspects of this role is the autonomy. I’m trusted to make decisions that genuinely support the customer experience without constant approval from leadership. If I believe an exchange plus a $250 gift card is the right solution to preserve a relationship, I’m empowered to do that. That level of trust creates confidence and allows us to move quickly when issues arise. Leadership is accessible when needed, especially in escalated situations. I’ve never felt left alone to manage something beyond my scope. There is also regular voluntary overtime available, which is a plus for those looking to increase their hours. For someone transitioning from another industry, the environment feels more structured and brand-focused, which has been refreshing

Cons

The clientele can be challenging. Some customers assume that spending thousands of dollars entitles them to treat frontline employees disrespectfully, even when those employees had no involvement in the original issue. It can also be frustrating to hold a boundary with a customer, only to see it reversed after escalation. While I understand the desire to preserve relationships, it can unintentionally undermine employee confidence and consistency in standards. Because RH carries so many collections and product variations, the learning curve is steep. Customers often expect immediate, detailed product knowledge, which takes time to develop.

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