For the 21st consecutive year, REI was recognized as one of the nation’s top employers, ranking 43 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. The honor celebrates the co-op’s more than 12,000 employees that work every day to connect REI members and customers with life outdoors.
Placement on the list is based on survey responses from a sampling of employees asked to rate their workplace culture. Final ranking is determined by more than 50 elements of the workplace, including trust in managers, compensation and camaraderie.
“It’s an incredible honor, in our 80th year as a co-op, that our employees feel so strongly about the work we do,” said Raquel Karls, REI senior vice president of human resources. “REI’s culture is built around the idea that a life outdoors is a life well lived, and our teams bring that to life every day for our millions of members in the communities across the country.”
A Great Place to Work
REI is a purpose-led organization that prioritizes stewardship of the outdoors. The co-op invests 70 percent of its profits annually in the outdoor community, including 400 nonprofits that create access to the outdoors for all.
In addition, REI remains committed to caring for the long-term health of the outdoors. The co-op continues to source 100 percent renewable energy for all REI locations and operates a LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona. REI also plans to incorporate sustainable design into its new campus in Bellevue, Washington.
Employees share in the co-op’s commitment to the outdoor community. According to REI’s annual employee survey, 96 percent of employees fully support the co-op’s values and believe REI has a great reputation for its products and services. The co-op’s combined pay and benefits lead the retail industry and employees enjoy a number of unique perks:
- Days off to play outside: Every year, co-op employees receive two paid “Yay Days” that allow them to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity, learn a new skill or help to maintain outdoor spaces through a stewardship project.
- #OptOutside: Employees also receive an additional paid day off on Black Friday to spend time outdoors with family and friends. In 2017, thousands of employees chose to #OptOutside and more than eight million people joined the movement.
Increased parental leave: In 2018, REI enhanced its parental leave policy so employees can continue to balance their life at home with their life at work. Parents now receive up to six weeks of paid leave when welcoming a new child into the family. - Deals on gear: REI employees enjoy deep discounts on gear and experiences making it easier for them to try new products and build expertise to share with members. Through our Challenge Grant program, employees can also receive up to $300 in REI private brands products for any outdoor activity, as long as it’s deemed a challenge for them.
