Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, REPORTS—NELP report claims ‘deep racial inequities’ exist at outdoor goods retailer REI, (May 13, 2025)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

Nearly half of workers surveyed by the National Employment Law Project reported witnessing or experiencing racial discrimination on the job.

According to a report released today by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), “deep racial inequities” exist at outdoor goods retailer REI, an incorporated consumer co-op that is owned by active members and governed by a board of member-elected directors. According to the report, the retailer has issues with widespread discrimination, inequitable scheduling, and limited mobility, all of which directly undermine its publicly-stated commitment to “becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, and multicultural organization.”

NELP’s report is based on research conducted in cooperation with the REI Union and presents NELP’s analysis of a survey of over 200 workers across 10 REI stores, along with interviews with current and former employees.

Impaired DEI at REI. Among the findings by NELP:

• Nearly half (47 percent) of surveyed workers reported witnessing or experiencing racial discrimination on the job. They described workers of color being disproportionately disciplined, dismissed, or pushed out because of discriminatory practices.

• The employer’s workforce is significantly less diverse than the retail workforce nationally.

• A majority (64 percent) of surveyed workers of color reported working 20 hours or less per week, compared to only 38 percent of white workers.

• More than half (52 percent) of workers of color surveyed say they would like to move to a different department but are inhibited by lack of training, compared to only 31 percent of white workers.

• Internal Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion efforts have been dramatically scaled back, workers report, and they perceive there has been little real progress in addressing inequities.

Workers also report age and gender bias, as well as discrimination against transgender workers, disability accommodation problems, lagging pay, and serious health and safety concerns.

“Workers believed in REI’s mission and showed up every day to help deliver on that promise. But instead of being valued, many have faced discrimination, instability, and missed opportunities,” said Hannah Chimowitz, senior researcher and policy analyst at NELP and co-author of the report. “These findings make it clear: REI Co-op leadership must do more than market a commitment to equity—it must work with its employees to make it real and put an end to discriminatory practices.”

Calls for accountability. “REI Co-op leadership has the opportunity to correct course,” said Amy Traub, NELP senior researcher and policy analyst and report co-author. “Listening to workers and bargaining in good faith with their union is a crucial first step toward fulfilling its commitments to racial and economic justice and to have a workplace free from discrimination.”

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