Benefits | Careers | Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop® is committed to being a fun place to work and visit! We care about the health and well-being and long-term financial security of our associates and their families. With that in mind, we constantly strive to provide our associates with comprehensive benefits that are competitive and meaningful in the specialty retail marketplace.

Our store, World Bearquarters (Headquarters) and Bearhouse (Distribution Center) locations could not operate without dynamite teams of managers and associates! Benefits vary by employment status. Please see details in each section for more information.

We recognize the importance of what our associates accomplish by offering:

 

Health & Wellness Benefits

 

Build-A-Bear Workshop is proud to offer major medical, dental and vision benefits to full-time associates and managers.

Medical / Prescription Drug
Our comprehensive medical plan provides associates with access to medical care from a broad network of providers through a major health carrier. Build-A-Bear Workshop shares in the cost of the plan with associates and prescription drug benefits are included.

24/7 Nurse Line
Build-A-Bear Workshop makes available to associates and their families a nurse line that offers confidential answers to health care questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no charge.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Build-A-Bear Workshop EAP offers confidential services by licensed, professional counselors at no additional cost to associates.

Dental
Our dental plan provides associates with access to dentists from a network of providers through a major dental carrier. Build-A-Bear Workshop shares in the cost of the plan with associates.

Vision
The vision plan includes coverage for eye exams, lenses or contacts, and frames as well as a variety of discounts on other eye care products and services such as laser vision correction.

Wellness Program
One of the best ways to get healthy, stay healthy, and avoid high health care costs is to take action to change behaviors and habits that may be putting your health at risk. By completing certain wellness activities (such as an online health risk assessment), you (and your covered spouse/domestic partner) will be able to earn valuable gift cards while improving your health.

 

Paid Time Off

 

Honey Days – (for full-time associates & managers)
Build-A-Bear Workshop has created a unique concept in retailing for store managers, full-time World Bearquarters and Bearhouse associates – Honey Days. We consistently strive to empower associates in every way possible. Honey Days allow you to use your best judgment in the use of available time off, whether it is for vacation, sick days, religious holidays or to attend to personal business.

Holiday Pay
Full-time Build-A-Bear Workshop associates at our World Bearquarters and Bearhouse are eligible to receive up to 6 paid holidays including: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Holiday hours will vary for store associates depending on days the store is open.

Birthdays
Birthdays are a reason for celeBEARation at Build-A-Bear Workshop. All associates are given a day off with pay in the month they celebrate their birthday!

 

Bonus Opportunity

 

Store managers, Sales Leads, and full-time World Bearquarters associates are eligible for bonus pay. Incentives may be based on store, individual, and company performance.

 

Savings & Retirement Benefits

 

401(k) Plan
The 401(k) Plan is a great benefit that allows eligible full-time and part-time associates who qualify to save money, tax-deferred, for retirement! Associates can contribute 1-75% of their salary (up to the IRS limit) through payroll deductions. We offer many different funds with varying levels of risk and earnings potential.

Build-A-Bear Workshop is proud to offer a safe harbor company match on the associate 401(k) Plan contributions.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts provide eligible store managers and full-time World Bearquarters and Bearhouse associates with an important tax advantage that can help to pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

 

Work/Life Balance

 

Flexible Schedules

At our World Bearquarters in St. Louis, MO we are able to offer our associates flexible work schedules. We are proud that we have only the best on our team – and to attract and retain the best, we work closely with our associates’ scheduling needs.

Office Environment

While we take our business very seriously at our World Bearquarters and Bearhouse, our office atmosphere and dress style are casual.

Life and Disability Benefits

For peace of mind, Build-A-Bear Workshop offers company-paid and “buy-up” options for full-time associates and managers.

Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

Build-A-Bear Workshop provides life and AD&D insurance in the amount of one times your annual salary. You may choose to purchase supplemental coverage for yourself, your spouse or domestic partner, and covered dependent children at group rates.

Disability

Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Plan. Plans vary by state.

Associate Discount

Associates are eligible for a 30% discount on all merchandise sold in our stores beginning on the date of hire. Spouses, domestic partners, children, mothers or fathers may also use this associate discount.

The Maxine Clark CEB Scholarship Program

Each year we will award college scholarships to selected associates. The details of the award and the number of scholarships available may vary from year to year, so please refer to the information provided annually about this program.

Online Corporate Perks Program

All associates and their families are eligible to participate in the Build-A-Bear Workshop online corporate perks program beginning on their date of hire. Discounts are available on a variety of products and services (apparel, cell phones, electronics, jewelry, flowers, tickets, magazines, travel, automotive, health and wellness, financial services and much more).