Powells Employee Reviews

My coworkers are absolutely the main reason I enjoy, and continue to work here. But, when considering the practical perks the company offers like wages, healthcare, sick time/time off accrual, and more, do not expect to find adequate compensation at Powell's.

The first days are magical, but the magic quickly fades when you realize that the higher ups are greedy, out-of-touch socialites who view this iconic and special place as their trophy. Low wages, high expectations, embarassing benefits, and a dark shadow of its former glory.

Review from Customer Support Dept

Managers at the store & warehouse level are wonderful. When it comes to the CEO & their team, it’s clear they don’t respect or care for anyone in the store/warehouse- regardless of union status. We deserve living wages. Employee turnaround is at an all time high. We are stretched thin & stressed

My fellow workers are what makes Powell's the fun bookstore to visit, with their knowledge and enthusiasm for books, and welcoming atmosphere. The management is disconnected from the workforce and could do so much more with regard to worker support and communication.

Review from Customer Support Dept

Its a great company if you want to be part of the "family" and great co workers and physical environment. If you want good salary and benefits, turn around right now.

Many of the leadership team are overbooked- they seem to have so much on their plate that it makes it hard to sit down and have a one on one but that said most of them do try to make time to if you need it and I appreciate that

Very supportive but unable to be effective because of antiquated rules and policies

Communication and fixing problems in the moment

Paying us what we're worth. Also ensuring people who have given years to the company get to keep their seniority.

Pay the workers better, and give them better insurance

Review from Customer Support Dept

Honesty, communication, compassion, some empathy or sympathy sprinkled in would be real nice

Review from Sales Dept

Lower management depends on person to person, some managers/supervisors are great others are just so-so. Upper management is a circus that seems determined to work against the best interest of their employees, they need to learn to value us.

Review from Sales Dept

Pay ranges are literally just made up. You will get the lowest amount. Communication from upper management indicates that they dont think we deserve more money with no reaaon why. Communication is uncompassionate. I have been told no asking for money plenty of times, not like that

I feel undervalued because I'm not being paid enough. I would like to be paid, at the bare minimum, a living wage so I can afford to live in the city I work in. Powell's is by no means a mom & pop store. They have the funds. But how will execs pay for their vacation homes if they pay us, the workers

Review from Customer Support Dept

For the amount of speciality work (knowledge about books, gifts, inventory system we use, concierge work with hundreds of people a day, mentoring others, and work beyond regular retail-we should be paid a higher living wage as well as better benefits. Half of the staff is part time -with no benefits

my job is listed on indeed for ~$20-29/ hour. i make $15.86. i am still on OHP because the company's healthcare is so pitiful. but they've made sure to pay me juuust enough that i can't get onto EBT! i have to choose between buying [minimal] groceries and not getting parking tickets most weeks.

I want a living wage without having to fight tooth and nail for it. We deserve a living wage for all the work that we do, and have one, especially during the pandemic, to keep this company going.

Review from Customer Support Dept

Just talking, getting to know each other. What books we like. Telling jokes. A safe space to vent or ask for help. In general, people are really nice

My coworkers are a blast to work with, many employees are creatives, writers, artists, musicians and their backgrounds bring a lot to the table when handselling books our curating store displays.

Review from Sales Dept

My team of unionized employees are educated, highly capable, and highly undervalued people. They are diverse, they are resourceful, funny, impeccable people and the most collaborative and inspiring workforce I've ever had the privilege of working with.

Review from Customer Support Dept

My team is consciencious, and extremely productive-super knowledgeable (sometimes more than management)

My team works hard. We collaborate frequently & are open to feedback. They are not afraid to share their opinions if something doesn’t seem effective. Our manager for our team is fair & seems to enjoy working with us. That makes a difference. Would be nice if they recognized achievements sometime

My coworkers and the union.

Interacting with my co-workers, and being able to meet authors and work with books

Review from Sales Dept

A shared love of books and nerd culture, and due to the demographic of the staff, very queer too. It's welcoming in a way I thought I wouldn't experience again since graduating school.

Review from Sales Dept

Very inclusive and most of the people who are hired here are well read and have a mountain of work experience

The general outlook of my coworkers seems to be hopeful - hopeful for one day being respected and valued by upper management

Review from Customer Support Dept

Employees feel like they cannot be open about their thoughts about work. They fear retribution or retaliation from management or corporate. The demands of the job can be extreme since we are short staffed. Hiring practices seem white & male-centric. If you aren’t white, it’s hard to relate to mg

They did the interview over zoom, that was nice

I like being able to take time with answers, jot questions down that are asked, and the broad range of topics asked.

Review from Customer Support Dept

Maybe increasing accessibility and outreach to potential applicants

Look past someone’s college level, vocabulary, and race. Look past someone’s mechanical answers. You overlook so much talent just because someone doesn’t speak as well or has a college degree. Women and minorities are commonly overlooked for promotion. Do b

My coworkers and being around books, but it is by no means worth working here for embrassing wages with little to no upward mobility.

Review from Customer Support Dept

It’s books. I am a book person. I help connect people with books and that’s amazing. I love that I can use my knowledge to help others. Employees are free to be creative… There’s a lot to love. But the trade off right now seems less and less w

I like working with nice people and working with and around books and reader culture.

Review from Customer Support Dept