Vitra Reviews

This is a company that has struggled for DECADES in the US, mostly because of a stubborn disconnect emanating from the Switzerland HQ, which refuses to adapt to, meet, and exceed customer expectations of the local US market. Vitra suffers from the typical curse of 3rd generation leadership at a family-owned business. CEO Nora Fehlbaum continues to be out of touch, aloof, and unapproachable. She has a habit of hiring and promoting those that remind her most closely of herself: White privileged women who purport to be of a certain social class. The CEO worships at the altar of Gwyneth Paltrow, and she hires Ivanka Trump / Kristin Cavallari / Megyn Kelly-types with high charisma but poor leadership track records, like her hiring of those in US leadership. Very toxic. People of color should expect to be “tone-policed” every step of the way by leadership. Their contributions won’t be recognized nor will Vitra’s leaders ever grant them the benefit-of-the-doubt that they bestow on the team members with straight blonde hair. People of color quit and are fired at much higher rates than others. It will take a lawsuit for things to change. This company simply does not value diversity, equity or inclusion, which is ridiculous given the time we live in. Additionally, the inexperienced US President is image-obsessed and will only hire Caucasian people who “look the part.” Unfortunately the staff is demoralized. In the US, we have never worked in a more toxic work environment than that built by the CEO’s handpicked leaders, who have fooled the Empress into thinking her new clothes look great. Poor leadership all around. What a pity and a disappointment for a company that could and should be great.

General lack of understanding of the contract furniture market in New York, including sales, management and leadership. Unclear or unstated expectations and lack of guidance were not only frustrating, they often caused misunderstandings, delayed product and unhappy clients. Promoted under-qualified individuals to management positions, while stifling constructive input from others with substantially more experience. There were a few individuals who went above and beyond their role to help in other areas. After proving themselves and increasing their workload to help the company, they were not offered pay increases or title upgrades. And ultimately, they were laid-off for their hard work. Compensation was less than other manufacturers and design industry leaders; the nearly unnoticeable yearly raises were not based on merit, and bonuses were based on sales (across all departments). So, when sales wasn't doing their jobs, everyone suffered...not a model I would have chosen. My sense of the interview process was that they were initially interested in whether I looked the part. My suspicion was confirmed after I was hired; in fact, once a client was in the showroom and asked if we were actors. It is also worth noting that until Covid, EVERY employee laid off during the current Vitra N/A President's tenure was a person of color! (all were replaced with Caucasian employees.) HR was located in Pennsylvania and was frankly useless. Not to mention they almost never came into NY, except to fire people (which definitely made for tense days when they were in the office). No one I knew felt safe or comfortable going to them with issues.