Notice: This page is intended to provide updates regarding hiring/recruiting practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  If you are looking for general COVID-19 REI Co-op updates, please visit this page. 

COVID-19 HIRING UPDATES

REI’s Policy on Employee Vaccination

·       Effective February 9, 2022, Experiences field employees of REI are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test weekly. For potential employees choosing to test weekly, more information will be provided about requirements at the time of job offer.  

·       Effective March 1, 2022: Headquarters employees accessing a headquarters facility (including vendors, contractors, designated onsite employees and SCS employees choosing to work onsite) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a religious or medical accommodation request is approved, or as otherwise required by applicable law. Given that all headquarters employees must be able to come onsite at any time as business needs require or when requested by a management or leadership team member, all headquarters employees should plan to be fully vaccinated as soon as they are able.  Potential employees choosing to pursue accommodation will be able to request it at the time of final interviews.

 
REI is closely following the latest news on the Coronavirus Disease and implementing processes that promote candidate and employee safety. We have health and safety procedures in place for our store teams. We’ll also be closely following guidance from national, state and local authorities to make sure we’re operating in compliance with any restrictions in your area.

What to expect if you're selected to interview for a job at REI:

The health and safety of our employees, candidates and customers is our top priority. As a result, we are making efforts to conduct interviews virtually whenever possible. Based on the position you interview for you may be asked to record a brief video interview and/or participate in a live video or phone interview. If you're invited to record a video interview, we recommend you review tips on how to record a successful interview.


Headquarters:

• If an in-person interview is necessary, and applicable state/local guidance allows, you’ll be required to follow the same guidelines as employees, including:
• Do a health screening prior to the interview. If your temperature is above 100.4 degrees your interview will need to be rescheduled. 
• Wear a face covering or mask. If you do not have a mask, we will provide one.
• Follow social distancing guidelines of remaining 6 feet apart during the interview.

Retail Hourly Store Roles:

• All retail hourly store roles will be utilizing HireVue, for a digital interview & you will be asked to record a brief video interview. 

HireVue video submissions will remain valid for 6 months. After the 6 months, you will be able to submit another video. 

We recommend you review tips on how to record a successful interview.

• If an in-person interview is necessary, and applicable state/local guidance allows, you’ll be required to follow the same guidelines as employees including:
• Do a health screening prior to the interview. If your temperature is above 100.4 degrees, your interview will need to be rescheduled. 
• Wear a face covering or mask. If you do not have a mask, we will provide one.
• Follow social distancing guidelines of remaining 6 feet apart during the interview.

What to expect once you've been hired:

• Before starting a job with REI, all employees are asked to read and acknowledge that they have read our Employee Handbook, as well as acknowledge that you are willing to adhere to the Co-op's health and safety standards. 
• Within 3 days of starting, you will be asked to provide attestation of vaccination status against COVID-19, as permitted by applicable law. 
• Employees are required to wear face coverings while in REI locations – this includes stores, distribution centers and any location being staffed by employees deemed “essential personnel.”
• Certain jobs will require employees to use gloves, but we are making gloves available to all staff who choose to use them.
• We are requiring employees to check for COVID symptoms before each shift and to stay home if they feel unwell.Managers are empowered and trained to send visibly sick staff home. 
• We require an on-the-clock (paid) health screening including a temperature check upon arrival for work each day. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or higher will be required to go home. 
• Due to our enhanced COVID-19 cleaning procedures (including thorough, frequent cleanings of high-touch surface areas), all roles may require additional duties related to this and our daily standard cleaning services.

To request a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Do I need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to work at REI?

Experiences field employees of REI have the option to provide a negative COVID test weekly.  Headquarters employees accessing a headquarters facility (including vendors, contractors, designated onsite employees and SCS employees choosing to work onsite) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a religious or medical accommodation request is approved, or as otherwise required by applicable law. Given that all headquarters employees must be able to come onsite at any time as business needs require or when requested by a management or leadership team member, all headquarters employees should plan to be fully vaccinated as soon as they are able.

I am not vaccinated against COVID-19, and do not plan to become vaccinated.  How do I know if a Medical or Religious Accommodation will be approved?

At the time of a final interview, candidates will have the ability to initiate the request for accommodation and will be able to learn the result prior to accepting the role.

I am not fully vaccinated yet.  Can I start working now while I become fully vaccinated?

If you are applying for Experiences field positions, you will need to take a COVID test weekly until you have become fully vaccinated. 

If you are applying for Headquarters positions and are accessing a headquarters facility (including vendors, contractors, designated onsite employees and SCS employees choosing to work onsite), you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a religious or medical accommodation request is approved, or as otherwise required by applicable law. As a candidate, if you cannot meet this requirement, please communicate this to your recruiter.

I was invited to participate in an in-person interview, but I would prefer virtual. Is that an option?
Yes. Let your recruiting contact know that you would prefer a virtual interview instead and they will assist you.

Do I need to use video for the interview or can I just dial in via phone?
We ask that you use video for your virtual interview. Let your recruiting contact know if you do not have access to a webcam or smart phone camera.

Do you treat virtual interviews the same as onsite interviews?
While the setup is different, we treat virtual interviews the same as in-person.

Please reach out to your recruiting contact if you have any other questions or email us at jobs@rei.com