I almost always hear only positive things, for everyone things have gotten better in every sense, they are happier, wealthier, healthier. Is it possible that there is no one who regrets leaving here?
I'm thinking about a change, but I'm honestly afraid because the story that the grass is much greener somewhere else doesn't sound very convincing to me.
17 replies (most recent on top)
Life post Nike is rad - not because it was a terrible place, just the loyalty doesn’t need to require you to stay at a place you don’t love or do a job you don’t care about. Do yourself a favor, search for something you care about internal or external and stop thinking somehow your loyalty or tenure is more valuable than it is.
I had a great mentor once remind me, every day you come to work and agree to do a job and the company agrees to pay you. If for any reason either of you change your mind - that’s the end. Don’t over sell loyalty as a value… just be honest with yourself, be good to those around you or that depend on you. Don’t be a d**che and quiet quit or blame others…. Loads of jobs loads of alternatives.
I left during a re-org when I was offered a demotion. I had been slowly pushed out by a toxic VP in EMEA. I can now reflect on my time before and after Nike and it’s very clear that the culture was extremely toxic for me and many in my team. Our “leader” was quick to dismiss anyone who didn't suck up to him. He’s a hack and everyone knows it, but has spent decades cultivating his own sense of greatness within Nike. I’m in a much better company where people are respected, ideas are encouraged and we solve problems with true collaboration. My manager does not tell me what to do, we know what we need to do as a team. I have a higher salary and more than double the benefits, so there is a better life, better work and better compensation after Nike. Oh, and I’m not made to feel like a puppet everyday and I don’t have to watch my colleagues being treated poorly as a normal occurrence. As a final note for anyone dealing with a bad boss or a re-org at Nike, HR is there to protect leadership, not lookout for you. Do not trust them one inch.
Most of us know this place is a clown show. You leave and realize it’s just a well-branded and marketed empty shell of something that has always been about some self-righteous narrative. You realize working at Nike might have sounded cool and paid you on time but what you were dedicated to were all smoke and mirrors. It’s athletic apparel, people. Overpriced cr-p is moving through the machine quarterly. You also realize you don't represent the swoosh. Then you go through the closets and pass on 98% of anything branded Nike to Goodwill, and it feels 110% better than pulling out your wallet again at the employee store.
I decided to leave about a year ago and planned my self-exit out meticulously. I was at Nike for 12 + years and it changed so much that I couldn't handle all of the anxiety that I brought home to my family. It became a place where virtue signaling was paramount and where the company and the employee networking groups kicked into high gear to divide employees and foment devision on a fast race to the bottom.
Quite frankly, it came down to me living within integrity. I could no longer work for a company that embraced blatant discrimination in the United States yet continued to do nothing about the Uygur situation in China.
What has been quite funny over the last few weeks is to see all of the former colleagues on LinkedIn over the last few weeks doing the obligatory homage to Nike for the rest and recharge week that just ended. They claim that Nike is the best place to work. Ever. Yet these are the same people who still confide in me privately how they feel trapped and wish there was a way out.
Leave with your head held high and on your own terms. Nearly a year later, I'm so happy that I broke out of the handcuffs that Nike tries to keep you with the benefits. In this case, the grass is greener on the other side. I left with my integrity intact and am much stronger person because to a leap of faith and left. I'm so happy I did it an you will too!!
Been at Nike twice as a FTE and contractor nearly 30 yrs. Left after a year of WFH and the reorg. NEVER going back. It’s a bubble where they want you to drink their koolaid and worship their way of life. Real life and living begins OUTSIDE the berm.
I was almost to my 20-year mark. I realized one day that I couldn't do it. My anxiety was through the roof, worrying about what was next and the awful dread of Monday is coming . Leaving was one of the best decisions I have made. I'm three months out with a new job. I'm happier, I feel like I'm part of something and my boss will stand up for his team.
My new workplace is better in terms of retirement benefits (they pay in 20% of salary towards it), the pay is the same, I do get to work from home permanently. The only minus relative to Nike is that there are no bonuses but honestly the retirement benefit is more than twice the bonus I got this year so its not a bad deal. Skills-wise I think I am missing out on some things by not being at Nike, so that's not great but its a lot more chill of an environment, far less bullsh-t and gas-lighting so I'll trade off some lost skills and resume options for longer lifespan and more free time. Overall I'm happy with my choice but obviously there are deeper problems with work in general that you can't fix by just switching jobs.
Hi! I was laid off in 2020 after 8 years. I have nothing but good feelings about Nike, I'm grateful I got to work there and gain the experience, grateful I got to see it for what it is from the inside. It's a business that answers to its investors and challenging to work for sometimes. I immediately got another job due to having Nike on my resume, fully remote, salary is even better (though ESPP and stock awards don't compare). Nike was stressful, competitive and I developed a lot of anxiety while I was there. In my new world I am excited about the work, happy and more knowledgeable than many of my colleagues due to my previous experience. I took the money from the layoff and bought a car and a few other nice things. Don't be afraid to jump, and don't be afraid of getting laid off...for me, having Nike in my rear view mirror is the best thing that happened to my career!
I was laid off in 2016/2017. Sr. Director who my VP threw 3 of us under the bus and took his 2nd demotion to save himself (it is what it is). I was angry and bitter at the time but over it now. Still have some anger towards a select few there. More upset that it happened 3 weeks before sabbatical.
Hardest thing for me was finding a new job. Probably 25 interviews ended in “we can’t pay you what you were paid.” Some wouldn’t even discuss salary because “they can’t match Nike.” Now totally different industry. Really weird to work with people who you know will retire there. Also people who are happy and not trying to throw others under the bus or trying to climb the ladder.
Personally, I’m a lot happier and have better personal relationships. I miss parts of it but my team/department/boss was outstanding.
I was defined by my 20 year Nike career and when it was fun and I was young it was great! As I got older and the company grew larger, I realized that Nike doesn’t give a sh-t about me. I had a slow stomach-achy journey to the day my guts demanded I give my notice and I’m sure it seemed very abrupt to those not living in my head. I am and want to be proud of my career and accomplishments, but it’s wrapped up in the feeling that I was a chump once it became evident that not only was I not paid the same as some of my male counterparts, but I wasn’t even paid the minimum salary for my role!
I was encouraged by my boss to use “excess” 2x pay money to bump someone on my team closer to the max of his range. When the NY times article came out about Nike leveling everyone to their minimum salary (I was part of that population) I knew I was a chump and I knew that my boss didn’t think I was worth being paid the minimum (or he would have prioritized ME with that 2x pay money).
I had a hard time finding traction after leaving and my confidence definitely took a hit. When you voluntarily leave, no one offers to be a reference, no one offers sympathy like to those that get laid off, no one even thinks about it at all - I know I sure didn’t when I saw others leave! The Nike “family” is a lie. Nike is a company and don’t forget that.
For a while I kept going back to the same hamster wheel and while I scored lots of interviews, I failed to land something in sporting goods due in part (I think) to self-sabotage. It’s taken me quite a while to figure out I need to do something radically different if I’m going to have a different result at this point in my life. I’m glad I left but I’m angry about my money that was left on the table.
I enjoy going to work again since I left. I am working with colleagues that actually are pursuing the same goals and it’s not a pi----g or popularity contest and I don’t have to watch my back anymore. It actually felt weird for a while to work for a manager that actually cared for me and did not just do what was the best for himself.
Nike has become such a toxic environment but it’s difficult to see that when you are at the inside.
After working there 24 yrs I cannot believe how little I think about Nike now that I’m gone. If you’ve been there for a while you probably lived through the “my job is my hobby” feeling when the culture was so strong. About 3-5 yrs prior to leaving I could see it all unraveling. Lack of vision, lack of real sink your teeth into it strategies, self promoting, promoting people who aren’t ready into critical roles, land grabs to make leaders feel important when they had not business managing those areas, quieting the voice of the athlete in exchange for the force fed moral compass of a few who were in charge. If you’re already looking to the point of considering offers….your heart is t in it anymore. Accept whatever loss you feel in leaving in exchange for the mental and emotional gift you get in return. You won’t regret it.
I didnt realize just how toxic Nike's management was until I left. It was completely a popularity contest, not about performance. When you leave, you're taking a chance that a new place could be just as bad. I got referred to my new job by an old co-worker so I got to ask lots of questions about the new place before saying yes. More money, similar benefits, actual appreciation for good work. The grass can be greener on the other side, you just have to ask the right questions.
I truly believe I was " retired" At nike at the end of 2020 was because of my age, 56, and my tenure, 24 years in footwear product creation. Since then, I believe I am still experiencing ageism at other footwear company's even though I have said my salary is negotiable. I still love the swoosh for it stood for but am not confident with the members of the board. I remember the day of sports affiliated members that knew what the swoosh meant. Now there are none. I truly hope all my comrades succeed in the future, but I don't know how Nike will still be Nike.
I miss the look on peoples faces when I say I work at Nike and the swell of pride when I see something cool that Nike has done. But my stress level, my finances, my relationships have all improved. While the career portion of me may not work at the most competitive, se-y place ever, my whole person is so much happier and healthier.
Whether things are better or not after you leave Nike depends mostly on…you.
Why are you leaving Nike?
Do you have marketable skills?
Do you know what you do and do not want out of a new job?
Do you know what you do and do not want your life to look like?
Have you researched potential new employers well?
Most people who leave Nike don’t do it on a whim. They don’t wake up one morning and say “I think ima quit my job today.”
They ask and satisfactorily answer the questions above, along with a bunch of other questions. Then they map out a potential employment plan that meets their needs.
Most people can successfully do this which is why you hear that most people who leave are happy. They didn’t just quit. They devised a plan, lined up some opportunities, and when the time was right they executed on their plan. Most of the time that will work out for most people. So it’s shouldn’t surprise anyone that people who leave seem to mostly be happy.
I’m sure some people have quit and regretted it. I mean, that’s bound to happen just as a matter of statistics. When that happens those people would probably be able to tell you where they made a mistake in the deliberation process mentioned above. But if you’re methodical and thoughtful about your departure from Nike there’s no reason to expect that you’d be anything but happier for it.
I feel amazing! Like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and room in my brain for things I care about. I do miss some benefits though I’ll be honest haha