Pay & Benefits at REI

  • One of the
  • "100 Best Companies
  • to work for" —
  • 11 years in a row!

Great effort deserves great rewards. And we are all well rewarded for our contributions to REI. From health care benefits and gear discounts to self- development opportunities and "uniquely REI" extras (such as REI Baby Memberships), the benefits we receive are acknowledgement of us as individuals with personal needs and diverse experiences.

Following is a brief summary of the REI Pay and Benefits Programs:

Pay

Incentive Pay

When REI does well, we all do well. Incentive pay through the REI Xcels incentive pay plan is based on reaching individual, department and company goals. Xcels targets depend upon your pay grade. All employees are eligible for the incentive pay plan.

Retirement and Profit Sharing

Our Retirement and Profit Sharing Plan is unique in the retail industry! Eligible employees are guaranteed a contribution of 5% of eligible earnings and we provide up to an additional 10% depending upon company profitability. Employees are not required to contribute their own pay in order to receive the REI contribution; however, we encourage employee contributions through a pre-tax payroll deduction. The REI Retirement and Profit Sharing Plan provides a wide array of investment options that can be viewed or changed daily through the plan's web site.

Healthcare

Health, Life and Disability Plans

Everyone should have access to health care. That's the thought behind the Part Time Healthcare Plan for part time employees who work less than 20 hours per week, as well as for temporary and seasonal employees. Employees may elect to participate in this plan after 30 days with REI and may elect to enroll their spouse, life partner and children who live in the home with the employee. If medical is elected, the employee will receive a 60% subsidy of the cost from REI and basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance paid by REI in full. Dental coverage may also be elected.

Full time employees and part time employees averaging 20 hours or more per week are eligible for the REI Flex Plan. Employees can choose from several medical plans, depending upon geographic location, and other options like vision care, voluntary life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, orthodontia, supplemental long-term disability and long-term care. REI employees can earn extra healthy lifestyle dollars to put toward the cost of coverage by engaging in specific "good behaviors" such as wearing a seat belt or getting regular aerobic exercise. Eligible dependents include spouse, life partner and children who live with the employee.

Professional Growth & Development

At the very core of our culture is the belief that, given the opportunity, motivated people will make the most of their careers and contribute to the success of the company. We support them in their efforts by offering professional training and development classes and creating a culture where growth and internal promotion are encouraged.

As a new employee of REI, you will be oriented through a specially designed on-boarding program which includes an orientation class. In addition, all new employees get a chance to participate in a stewardship project or outing where they get to have fun outdoors bonding with teammates and managers.

At REI we strive to provide tools, training and mentorship to help employees plan their goals and grow professionally.

Tuition Reimbursement

This program provides each employee with the opportunity to get financial support to pursue higher education. The course of study can be aimed at growth in the current job or possibly for a change of career with REI.

Challenge Grant

This program provides REI employees with an opportunity to determine a personal outdoor challenge and apply for a special grant to achieve their goals. Employees have received funds for a variety of challenges, from a 50-mile bike ride to a Mt. Everest expedition.

Time Away from Work

Paid Time Off

Time off is an important part of our culture. Renewing spirits through a healthy work/life balance is encouraged through earned time off. Paid time off includes vacation pay, sick pay, 8 paid holidays and sabbatical pay.

Family and Medical Leaves

REI provides leaves for Family and Medical reasons including REI Medical and Family leave for employees who do not yet meet FMLA eligibility. Additionally, REI extends FMLA leave to care for a life partner, life partner's child or a sibling.

Personal Leave of Absence

Sometimes earned vacation just isn't enough. Employees can request up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a year. With manager approval, a leave can be used to pursue any personal interest including volunteering, traveling the globe or going back to school.

Employee Discount Program

Employee Discount and ProDeals

REI employees receive 50% discounts on REI Gear and Apparel. The discount program also includes free gear rentals for personal use from any REI store and 30% off our vendor merchandise and 10% off sale items. REI and many of its vendors also offer a ProDeal Discount Program to employees. Under the program, purchases can be made directly from vendors priced at or below wholesale.

REI Adventures

Employees get a 30% discount on trips with our own travel company. REI Adventures offers active trips across the globe as well as close to home.

Recognition

Recognizing great performance is pervasive at REI. From our Performance Review process to our peer-nominated Anderson Awards and Leadership Awards, formal opportunities abound for everyone to be acknowledged and rewarded for a job well done. Our "Going the Extra Mile" appreciation program ensures that employees have a chance to be rewarded for giving their best every day. We even recognize stores each year for such accomplishments as performance as a new store, as an existing store and for market teamwork. And we always throw a party to celebrate these achievements!

Other rewards include: an annual holiday gift, usually an exclusive piece of REI gear or apparel; employee anniversary celebrations; employee appreciation awards; store and department team-building staff events.

Culture & Work Environment

At REI we're here for the outdoors. We enjoy it, we share our enthusiasm for it, we sell gear to help others to enjoy it and we give back with our time and money to preserve and protect it. Our core purpose statement says it all: "We inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure."

There's nothing more fun than working with people we truly enjoy. And at REI we get to do that. An interest in the outdoors and outdoor activity are common threads that bind us together. And our warm and inclusive culture creates an environment where we can easily get to know our teammates and learn from each other. So when it's time to head outdoors, we know just the people we want to enjoy it with. There are always opportunities to play together.

Work/Life Employee Assistance

To help find balance between work and home, employees can use the REI Work/Life program. This employee assistance program offers access to services, referrals, three in-person visits and support to help us all in our quest to live and work well. We even provide a convenience service as part of this program-sort of like a concierge for your life!

Public Transit Subsidy

Regular commuters in all REI locations can take advantage of 50% subsidies for bus, trains or other public transit methods. At REI headquarters employees may find vanpools as another commute alternative.

Employee Referral Bonus

Refer someone to REI and, if they are hired, you can receive a $50-$1,000 bonus through your paycheck!

Relocation Support

Moving to a new city can be stressful. That's why we pair up a relocated employee with an REI local to help with the transition. Additionally, REI provides financial assistance to full-time employees who move more than 50 miles to fill a job.

REI Sabbaticals

After 15 years of service with REI, employees earn their first paid sabbatical- four consecutive weeks of time off! For each 5 year anniversary thereafter, another sabbatical is earned that includes an additional week of paid time off!

Adoption Assistance

Adoptive parents who are also eligible for the REI Flex Plan can receive up to $3,000 reimbursement to apply toward adoption costs.

And there is more!

The perks don't stop here. In addition to the above, the following benefits are also available to employees: casual dress every day, flexible schedules, retirement investment education, national discount gym/fitness discounts, student loan program support and REI Baby Membership. At our headquarters in Kent, WA, employees enjoy lunchtime activities such as bike rides, Ultimate Frisbee, running, yoga, and basketball.

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While many of us at REI are experienced outdoor enthusiasts, not all of us are hard-body athletes. We want everyone to feel welcome here, regardless of their outdoor experience. — Sally J.

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