REI prides itself on living the REI values: balance, authenticity, quality, service, respect, and integrity. As an outdoor retailer it hopes to educate, inspire and outfit customers for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Can REI values be actionable? 

Yes, we believe they are more than a marketing strategy. 

Outdoor Sport Retailers were never considered essential businesses and the Coronavirus epidemic is yet to be over. The national and state positive case numbers are increasing by the hour. However, REI has opened to in person shopping and offers employees ''Protection" so that we may service our members and communities. The protection consists of quarantine returned items, separate break rooms, hand sanitizer and gloves and hourly cleaning of bathrooms if someone is staffed. 

Quality protection would look like having constant air flow through the building. Being properly staffed. Customers to be seen by outfit appointments all staff required to be cashier trained to be with the guest from start to finish. Bathrooms are employee only and cleaned on the hour. No Cash transactions. Managers assist when customers are not adhering to mask protocols. 

Although customers are given masks to wear, employees still fear exposure and the levels of emotional stress are heightened. The high volume of customers in store and pressure from management to service demands can be better balanced by scheduling fully cross trained staff (Front line, Sif, Phones, Sanitation, Outfitting, Action Sports, Footwear, Clothing,management), limiting the amount of people in the store to prioritize safety not consumerism and go back or increase virtual outfitting, and making a public statement of when we let the last customer in the door being one hour before close.

For many employees this is our only source of income and yet some were making more on unemployment. REI would be living more authentically in it's values by paying a living wage. REI could also cement their integrity and value for their employees' lives by paying hazard pay(time and half) for those reporting to work or offering medical benefits for all during a national health epidemic. REI has an opportunity to recognize its employees efforts. Respect as a value can be lived by allowing those employees who are uncomfortable or not ready to return to work to remain at home. Forcing employees to resign or go on a Leave of Absence does not seem the REI way. 

Please sign this petition if you agree in holding REI accountable for the values it states to take pride in.