This week the 8% of the REI Co-op headquarters staff being laid off due to “increasing uncertainty” were relieved and even a little delighted to hear that their generous severance packages include an exclusive coupon for 20% off their next $100 REI purchase.
“At first I thought I layoffs were really unnecessary considering last year REI said it had doubled its net income since 2018 from $47.1 million to $97.7 million, but this exclusive REI former staff members-discount is really changing my tune,” said Blake Wilson, who is one of 167 people getting laid off this week. “It just goes to show the REI Co-op really is ‘a different kind of company,’ not one that would ever just copy and paste ‘increasing uncertainty’ from all the other corporate company letters coming out this month about why they’re suddenly slashing 8% of their workforce into their own—the kind that at least gives you a nice coupon on your way out.”
Prepping for his family’s own uncertain times ahead, Wilson said he’d already added several items to his online checkout cart.
“Not really sure what I should get—$100 of trail mix groceries or a new down coat to wear instead of turning on the heat for the rest of this winter,” Wilson said. “Maybe both—oh crap, nevermind. There’s exclusions on this coupon for everything but REI-branded gear, ugh. Oh, and the coupon can’t be used for another six months? WTF? Whatever, that’s fine—I’ll just get this purchase over with and use up my entire severance to buy everything full price.”
At press time, 15% of laid off employees had reportedly already found a way to use their 20% off benefit, either by instructing REI leadership to place the coupon “where the sun does not shine” or opting to put it outside in a trash can.
