Optical Assistant - Essex

Helping people correct their vision

No sick pay (even for covid)
No bereavement pay
No progression or help
No pay rise for extra responsibilities or help to progress in career
Management rarely in so be expected to lock up store when you're not paid extra for doing so
Stores are franchised so difficult to report when having issues with management

lovely customers, the funny things you see the general public doing, all the close work friends and nights out. Learning is quite fun as well, lots to learn and a lot of silly ways of remembering things.

rude, perverted, angry customers. management will ponder to them and be really nice to, not sticking up for staff. sometimes they do but often times not.

My other colleagues I work with.

Where do I start?

1. The pay is terrible. Other companies are paying far more for the exact same job role.

2. It is a toxic place to work. I have witnessed many unprofessional activities which are often swept under the rug. There is no voice for staff to raise concerns higher up and as such many put their head down and keep quiet in fear that they might face consequences for speaking out.

3. Poor management. As their stores are franchised, they leave the responsibilities to the directors (franchise owners) of the store. These directors only have to have 6 months of 'pathway' training which is usually learned alongside their existing job, many of which have never had any management experience prior and then suddenly they are given a store to own. Many go into directorship expecting to make lots of money and sadly many have no aspirations at all for leading a team. This lack of leadership means that the workplace is often unorganized and chaotic. When the regional managers do bother to come in, they are not checking that the stores are functioning well, they are simply concerned with the figures and sales.

3. High staff turnover. Staff often feel stressed and undervalued. Many stores find it difficult to retain or recruit people with experience. I have seen too often talented members leave because they know they can get better working at other companies.

4. No sick pay.

5. No transparency in pay. We have been told by managers at our store that we must not discuss are pay with others. Obviously in private many of us have. It showcased that many of us were not on equal pay and a few were selected for better pay not on merit, but on favoritism.

6. Quantity not quality. This is a company that makes its money by over ramming its clinics and keep wages low.

The team members are nice.

The pay is low for what is skilled work. Minimum wage for specialist knowledge relating to the manufacture and dispensing of glasses and contact lenses. No health insurance, no sick pay, franchised company structure means that there are fewer safeguards or rigorously enforced expectations placed on the store owners to ensure safety and well-being.

It’s fulfilling work, it doesn’t get boring

For the amount of work, training and effort that goes into my job, the pay is terrible. No matter how many years you’ve worked/level of training, most people are getting paid minimum wage or just above

I think we have a good career path, and a lot of room to progress.

Lack of support from management, and understanding. Lack of understanding when coming to transport. The staff aren’t all friendly and makes it hard for you too trust people.

It’s a good industry to go into, people are always going to need glasses. You’re not sat at a desk all day and it’s very hands on so you won’t get bored.

Some customers are so nasty, disadvantages of working in customer service. It is a very stressful, very understaffed environment where you’re not very appreciated and often underpaid.

the customers are so sweet , many opportunities for job development

managers not appreciating efforts , told to do stuff outside of my job description , understaffed so under loads of pressure , not really respected