Ironically, this self-proclaimed “people-first” company is the most toxic place I’ve ever worked.
Highly qualified and talented people are leaving in droves, some even without new jobs lined up because it’s just that bad. People would literally rather be unemployed than work at Cotopaxi. Leadership has also repeatedly try to silence people when they’re leaving to make it look like they’re being pushed out, rather than leaving because things are so miserable.
Additionally, cost of benefits have skyrocketed with no cost of living adjustments, “In The Wild Time” has been cut, summer Fridays have been cut, and bucket list trip stipends (after 18 mo. & 5 years) have been cut—all of the things that were supposed to counterbalance non-competitive pay (compared to other industries) are gone.
The CEO also recently announced the promotion an SVP to C-suite position (after being at Cotopaxi for less than a year while others have had to fight endlessly for much deserved promotions) on the exact same day that everyone else was sent into a panic because benefits skyrocketed, which was beyond inconsiderate and tone-deaf.
On top of it all, leadership still seems completely oblivious to how unhappy everyone is, and they’re fully convinced that they’re not the problem, even when they’re the root of it all.
