I was elated to finally see that people are starting to question the validity and intention of Altar’d State. I have never spoken out negatively about the company, but I feel the need to finally break my silence. I began working with the company as an intern in their first store and stayed with the company for almost five years, moving into a marketing role within the home office. I would not wish my experience with the company and its CEO, Aaron Walters, on anyone.
I whole-heartedly believed in the mission and worked an unhealthy amount of hours to push the business forward. Hours that defied moral standards were a requirement at Altar’d State, and, as a young girl out of college, I was unaware of the unfair expectations they had set. Berating and embarrassing employees is also a daily practice for Aaron Walters, and his tirades are to be expected. His emotional imbalance keeps everyone on the office constantly on edge and afraid.
Many offices have high-pressure environments, and difficult CEOs are to be expected, but the unnerving thing about this situation is the facade Altar’d State keeps to the public. Hiding under a veil of Christianity and “giving back” is concerning and manipulative. Altar’d State is targeting young girls, fresh out of school and luring them with the idea of making a difference, while paying them unfairly (full time at $8.00 for an E-commerce Manager), working them consistently overtime and subjecting them to unfair expectations and verbal harassment. It is an exhausting, emotionally draining work environment.
In my almost five years at Altar’d State, I never witnessed substantial donations to the charities mentioned by Aaron Walters. I was “given a child” for my time at Altar’d State by the CEO (money was sent to support Coperdeli USA in my name), but I tried to contact the company to send “my child” a letter and never received a response. Aaron Walters treated the presentation of “my child” as a spectacle and made the event more about himself than helping others. I would love to finally know if, in fact, money is given to charity through Altar’d State funds, and, if so, how much?
Many may discredit my comment as a disgruntled ex-employee, but out of genuine concern I would ask potential employees to be careful. All employees deserve to be treated with respect. Please beware of this company and its promises. Buyers should also take everything said by this company with a grain of salt and be aware of the organization you are supporting with your money.
