Pros
- Some range of health benefits offered to all employees. - Great discounts on all the gear you could want. - You get to talk about things you are passionate about; gear, adventures/trips, the outdoors, training, non-profits, etc. - Gain knowledge on outdoor gear through a variety of ways and the ability to share the knowledge you have with coworkers and customers - Usually great coworkers. Like anywhere else, there will always be people you don't really see eye to eye with, but at least in a place like REI, you're probably there for similar reasons as everyone else.
Cons
When first hired, you are not guaranteed hours. They will make it seem like the "Availability Form" you filled out actually means something. It doesn't. It's used as a way for you to communicate to them and that's all it is. They in no way are held to scheduling around your availability. So why have you fill out forms? It's a formality that covers them. The most frustrating thing about working for that store, was not making enough money to have it as my only job, but never having a schedule that I could schedule around. It changed constantly and other jobs were not willing to be that flexible. Some weeks you will be scheduled for 12 hours and other weeks 8. Then, another schedule comes out and you are on for 24. It happens because you want to say that you want part time, 12-24 hours. You fill out the form and put that as your availability, but you will get what they need, up to your maximum available hours. So one week they need 8 from you and the next 20. Then they'll tell you that you aren't being flexible enough, and gaslight you into thinking that you're the one being difficult. You'll fill out another form with very clear availability, your honest availability, and as soon as it doesn't work for them, you're called into the office again and told you aren't being flexible enough. If my availability didn't work, why hire me? It was always a struggle and the scheduling policy is always changing. Heck, every policy is forever changing at REI. There are a few employees that management have deemed worthy of consistent hours, but it won't be you right out the gates, if ever. Now, with labor unions trying to start at various stores, it's an all out war against any show of union talk or movement in that direction. When you read between the lines of a lot of the corporate communication, you can see the union busting line toeing that they do. "But what about all the causes they promote and give to?" Marketing. It's all to bring in more customers to sell memberships to. They do some good for, for some causes, and mild that for all it's worth. If it wasn't for some passionate employees, those causes wouldn't seem like anything more than what they are, sales tools.