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Posted 15 days ago

Retail Optical Assistant

Vision Express

About Vision Express

Vision Express is an opticians company.

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Job description from Vision Express

Role overview

As a Retail Optical Assistant at Vision Express, you'll assist our customers in finding and selecting eyewear that meets their needs. You'll help with frame adjustments, repairs, and fittings. Additionally, you may perform some pre-screening eye examinations and administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, supporting the phone lines from customer queries and processing payments.

Overall, your goal is to provide excellent customer service and ensure that our customers leave happy, with eyewear that fits properly and meets their vision needs. You'll play a key part in our mission of helping our customers to 'See More and Be More' by providing tailored and effective service, to help customers maximise their visual potential and enhance their lifestyle.

Although the hours of this role are advertised, if this sounds like the role for you, we'd love to hear about your ideal working week. Whether this is hours to fit around the school run or you prefer a compressed week - we are open to discussing flexible options with you further.

Who are we?

We are Vision Express - with over 550 stores across the UK and Ireland, we have something for everyone. Whether you want to work in a busy city centre flagship, a smaller village store or in one of our coastal locations, we're sure we will have the perfect solution for you!

Did you know, we are also part of the EssilorLuxottica family? EssilorLuxottica is the global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of lenses, frames and sunglasses! We are home to the most loved and widely-recognised vision care and eyewear brands in the world. Their priority eyewear brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa, Vogue Eyewear, Persol and Oliver Peoples, complemented by over 20 prestigious licensed brands.

Who is the perfect candidate?

  • Provide excellent customer service, with the ability to provide personalised assistance to customer and address their needs and concerns
  • Great communication and rapport building to translate professional terminology into language understandable to patients
  • Exceptional attention to detail in maintaining accurate customer records, prescriptions, and requirements to provide them with the best service and product recommendations
  • Ability to work as part of a team, with colleagues across the whole store
  • The ability to work under pressure and handle challenging situations in a fast-paced retail environment
  • Confidence, passion, drive and enthusiasm
  • Knowledge and understanding of our optical products and services, including frames, lenses, and contact lenses, and the ability to inform customers about them and promote our products and services to help towards your store targets
  • Arrange and maintain the stores look and feel, keeping it organised and stocked, to provide a visually appealing environment for our customers, in line with the store marketing guidance.

Anything else you should know?

  • Sales and performance-based bonus
  • Targeted incentives
  • Pension scheme
  • Life Assurance - 2 x your basic annual salary
  • Private medical cover for you and your family
  • Free eyewear annually with eligibility from day one of joining us!
  • Opportunities to get involved in the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation
  • Discounts throughout the year for your friends and family
  • Employee Assistance Program offering confidential support and advice on everything from financial support and everything in-between
  • 33 days annual leave - increasing with your length of service, plus the opportunity to buy or sell holiday
  • Flexible health related benefits, such as Health Cash Plan, Additional Life cover, Critical Illness cover and Dental Plan
  • Opportunities to join a company wide community with peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and collaborating through our internal channels
  • Flexible lifestyle benefits, such as Gymflex, Dining Cards, discounted Travel Insurance, Experience Days and even discounted bicycles through our Cycle to Work Scheme
  • And so much more!

What employees say

Pay

    Okay
  • Only some people are paid a living wage

    Do Vision Express pay optical assistants enough to live on?

    Some people are not paid a living wage.

    How we know this

    44% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.

    Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should be paid enough to live on.

    The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.

    The current rates are £12.00 per hour, and £13.15 per hour in London.

    Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.

  • Good
  • Most people are paid market rates

    Do Vision Express pay optical assistants market rates?

    Most people are paid above average for their job.

    How we know this

    94% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.

    Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.

  • Needs improving
  • Under 23s get paid less than everyone else

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express get paid the same regardless of age?

    No, people under the age of 23 get paid less than those above 23.

    See what Vision Express pays different age groups

    How we know this

    The average pay of under 23s is less than those who are over 23.

    Based on data from 80 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2021 and December 2023.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get paid breaks

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express get paid breaks?

    No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.

    How we know this

    95% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.

    Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should have paid breaks.

    You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get sick pay

    Do Vision Express pay optical assistants sick pay?

    No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.

    How we know this

    93% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.

    Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.

    At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.

    This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.

  • Okay
  • Some people do unpaid extra work

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express do extra work that they don't get paid for?

    Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.

    How we know this

    46% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.

    Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.

Hours and flexibility

    Okay
  • Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts

    How much notice do optical assistants get of their shift pattern at Vision Express?

    Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.

    How we know this

    • 10% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
    • 12% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
    • 22% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
    • 56% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.

    Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.

    This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.

  • Good
  • Most people don’t worry about their hours

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express worry about hours?

    Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    How we know this

    98% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.

    A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.

    This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get a choice of shifts

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express get to choose the shifts they work?

    Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.

    How we know this

    45% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.

    Based on data from 55 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.

  • Okay
  • Can be hard to change shifts

    How easy is it for optical assistants at Vision Express to change shifts?

    Some people find it hard to change shifts.

    How we know this

    48% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.

    Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.

  • Good
  • Easy to book holiday

    How easy is it for optical assistants to book a holiday at Vision Express?

    Most people find it easy to book holiday.

    How we know this

    77% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.

    Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.

  • Okay
  • Shifts can get changed at short notice

    Do Vision Express managers change optical assistants shifts at short notice?

    Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.

    How we know this

    39% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.

    Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.

  • Okay
  • Some people find it hard to take sick leave

    How easy is it for optical assistants to take sick leave at Vision Express?

    Some people find it hard to take sick leave.

    How we know this

    34% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.

    Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.

    A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.

  • Good
  • Most students say it’s good

    Is optical assistants at Vision Express job good for students?

    Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.

    How we know this

    76% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.

    Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2021 and September 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.

    Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.

  • Okay
  • Only some parents say it’s good

    Is working as optical assistants at Vision Express good if you have caring responsibilities?

    Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.

    How we know this

    57% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.

    Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2021 and August 2023.

    Why this matters

    Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.

Workplace

    Good
  • Most people feel treated with respect

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express feel treated with respect by their managers?

    Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.

    How we know this

    69% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.

    Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.

  • Good
  • Most people get proper breaks

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express get proper breaks?

    Most people get proper breaks.

    How we know this

    85% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.

    Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people are stressed

    Is it stressful for optical assistants to work at Vision Express?

    Most people feel stressed here.

    How we know this

    79% of people say they often feel stressed at work.

    Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.

    Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Okay
  • Only some people enjoy their job

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express enjoy their jobs?

    Only some people enjoy their job.

    How we know this

    39% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.

    Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and November 2023.

  • Okay
  • Only some people recommend their team

    Do optical assistants at Vision Express recommend working with their team?

    Only some people recommend working with their team.

    How we know this

    58% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.

    Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job means enjoying the place where you work.

    The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.

    If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get enough training

    Do optical assistants get enough training when they start at Vision Express?

    Some people did’t get enough training when they started.

    How we know this

    58% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.

    Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.

    This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.

    It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get support to progress

    Are optical assistants given support to progress at Vision Express?

    Only some people are given support to progress here.

    How we know this

    In the last year, 46% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.

    Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.

    This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.

  • Needs improving
  • Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening

    Do optical assistants think Vision Express head office understands what's happening where they work?

    Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.

    How we know this

    89% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.

    Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.

    To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.

  • Good
  • Most people feel well informed by head office

    Do optical assistants feel well informed about how Vision Express is doing?

    Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing.

    How we know this

    70% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.

    Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and December 2023.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.

    You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.

Find out more about working at Vision Express

What Vision Express employees say about their job

  • Best thing

    Discount on certain frames

    Worst thing

    Long hours and travel and unpaid break stressed most of the time management useless head office useless

    3.3

    Vision Express Optical assistant, September 2023

  • Best thing

    the free pair of glasses and sight tests

    Worst thing

    The stress and pressure of having to sell payment plans and specific brands of glasses to customers

    4.9

    Vision Express Optical assistant, July 2023

See more reviews
  • Best thing

    Helping customers

    Worst thing

    Very busy short staffed

    7.7

    Vision Express Manager, June 2023

  • Best thing

    The work is varied and interesting. It's retail but you are actually making a difference

    Worst thing

    Unequality, unfair pay differences, extreme pressure. Company acts like they are desperate for money, we never do good enough. They prioritise profit over customer care and safety. Every member of staff is a number and 100% replaceable, the products are not going to last 5 mins. Anything non designer is literally going to fall apart.its rubbish and the lenses are white labeled and cheap. Appointments will be double booked on The assumption that someone in the day will no show. So multiple people turn up for the same appointment and are expected to see them both and get told off for running late. Staff bonus is set at unreachable levels and if we do achieve it the bonus gets canceled if we get a negative review from patients. (Any score below an 8 is considered negative and will take away our bonus)
    Training is non existing as there is no time or staff to do it. So people don't know what they are doing and stumble from catastrophy to catastrophy. The most common thing you will be doing in this job is apologising.

    3.4

    Vision Express Optical assistant, August 2022

  • Best thing

    The team I work with. Most customers are lovely. I enjoy the admin side to it all and being able to prescreen adds variety into the days

    Worst thing

    More training would be beneficial. When customers are awful there’s not much support from above. Don’t get much recognition for the hard work you do.

    6.4

    Vision Express Optical assistant, May 2022

  • Best thing

    Working with a great close team, daily chances to problem solve difficult situations, chance to constantly learn.

    Worst thing

    Lack of flexibility with shifts, difficult customers not dealt with correctly, managerial staff being two-faced

    4.9

    Vision Express Optical assistant, March 2022

  • Best thing

    Nice team

    Worst thing

    The pay in respect to what you need to know and your responsibilities

    7.0

    Vision Express Optical assistant, December 2021

  • Best thing

    The team and the hours

    Worst thing

    Pay is not worth what u do

    6.0

    Vision Express Optical assistant, December 2021

  • Best thing

    The company as a whole is really making positive strides to improving not just customer experience but also there employees

    Worst thing

    Understaffed

    6.9

    Vision Express Optical assistant, June 2021

  • Best thing

    The team

    Worst thing

    Admin and dated computer systems

    5.5

    Vision Express Optical assistant, March 2021

  • More reviews from Vision Express employees
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