Three Outdoor Companies You Would Love To Work For

The outdoor industry is one of the best when it comes to employee appreciation. Most outdoor companies have an environmental mission. Working with them provides most employees with a sense of purpose beyond themselves. Many offer great vacation options and flexible work hours. They may even encourage employees to take advantage of opportunities to get outside even if they interfere with normal work hours. This has the effect of actually motivating people to work hard so they can play hard.

Apply to an outdoor industry job is easier than you may think. You do not have to be an avid rock climber or have scaled mountains or spent days surviving in the wilderness on your wits alone. Many companies use applicant tracking systems that allow data migration from sites like LinkedIn, Indeed.com, and CareerBuilder, so you do not have to spend hours filling out the same information for different jobs.

Patagonia

Patagonia is an outdoor retail company founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard. The company's Let My People Go Surfing Policy encourages employees to get away from their desks during the day to enjoy the outdoors, pursue education goals, or pick the kids up from school. They provide on-site, high-quality childcare. Patagonia has a strong focus on environmental impacts. Employees are offered full-time pay and benefits while interning at the environmental non-profit of their choice for up to two months. Patagonia is as much a mission as a company.

"Great people, incredible benefits, fantastic work-life balance."

"Patagonia is a friendly place to work."

"I've worked retail at other places and Patagonia is simply the best."

Clif Bar

Founded in 1992, Clif Bar & Company produces organic and nutritious food with adventurers in mind. In order to encourage healthy lifestyles among their employees, the company encourages staff to pursue not only their passions but to succeed in life and health goals. A couple of their offices are even equipped with wellness centers. Employees are encouraged to volunteer while on the clock through the Clif Corps program. They offer flexible schedules and try to tailor time-off to locations and individuals. Like many outdoor companies, Clif Bar has an environmental mission. They help further their beliefs by providing employees with an incentive program to encourage planet-friendly practices.

"Great benefits and work environment!"

"Great people, great benefits, and the most relaxed enjoyable work environment I have ever worked in."

"It's a company that really understands how to balance work and life."

Peak Design

Peak Design started as a Kickstarter project. The company designs bags and products to help keep your gear and stuff organized, specifically for photographers. Their mission is employee focused first. On their website, they list that, "…The purpose of Peak Design is to create happy, meaningful lives for the people that work here." As a company, they wish to further use their voice to affect environmental change. They offer unlimited paid time off after one year. They even have a work from anywhere policy that encourages employees to work from wherever they feel most comfortable, productive, and inspired.

"We take part in shaping our community."

"Everyone feels like they are doing something special."

"There are times when we crank down and times when we go out and camp somewhere."

Conclusion

These companies not only have a conscious, but they treat their employees well. Patagonia, Clif Bar, and Peak Design want innovative individuals for their teams. They know that means giving their employees some independence and the opportunity to be inspired. They cultivate a work environment that is supportive and friendly. They offer benefits and perks that encourage staff to live passionate and healthy lives. Happy workers mean better products and customer service.

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stash member Devin Caldwell