Disgruntled but still relatively happy? - Compliance Associate 1-800 Contacts Employee Review

3.0
Jul 31, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This company is better than any I've worked for. I've been here for a bit over a year now. The benefits like cheap/free food, on site gym, company activities, etc is great. They start you at a decent wage. The managers in compliance are fantastic and want to make sure you're happy working there. The work is relatively easy, if not a bit dull.

Cons

You don't see much compensation for hard work, especially if you're part time. The new bonus structure awards quantity over quality. I work part time and on numerous projects outside the regular work which takes away from my bonus. However, when I work on the areas where we bonus I process more items at a faster rate than most agents per hour and my quality is usually pretty high every month. However, because we bonus based on how many items processed total the entire month (not per hour or such), as a part time agent my bonus really suffers. I also receive no compensation for all the projects I do. There is little movement in the company as well unless you're in the 'boy's club' like others have said. Scheduling is also a hassle. I joined the company under the impression that they had flexible scheduling for college students like myself. Unfortunately, every time I've submitted a schedule change I've had to fight them on it because they won't approve it, and typically I have to get my manager involved to get it approved. I feel that entry level agents such as myself aren't considered important in the company at all and know many others who feel this way. There is a real disconnect between agents such as myself and the '5th floor' guys. Lastly, there is a lot of gossip which I personally find very unprofessional. Though this company is better than any I've worked for, it doesn't mean they don't have plenty of room for improvement.

avatar
1-800 Contacts Response
9y
This is great feedback. Hopefully we can shed some light on why these changes were implemented. The newly introduced bonus structure was designed to be as fair and simple as possible. While it is true that time spent on “special projects” does not apply to the bonus, those “special projects” are outside of the work the associate was hired to do. Additionally, special projects are never assigned. They are volunteered for which allows agents the opportunity to choose which is more important to them; maximizing their monthly incentive (bonus) or time off the queues to work on side/special projects. Work schedule flexibility is something that we believe is a key differentiator for 1-800 contacts. There is no shift bidding. When new associates are hired we let them know the general hours we are looking for (mornings, afternoons or evenings) and our workforce department works with each associate to create a unique schedule for them. We do not generate schedules based on call volumes, or work volumes in the case of compliance, and then assign people shifts. We have over 400 unique shifts because every associate’s shift is what works for them and for the company. Not all schedule changes get immediately approved or approved exactly as submitted. We approve over 60% of schedule change requests without alteration. Over 90% get approved after additional discussion in order to meet both the associate and the business needs. Additionally, agents can request schedule changes at any time.

Explore other reviews about 1-800 Contacts

5.0
Jun 18, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Leadership genuinely cares about employees and creating a good company culture. Most companies claim to live their values but rarely ever do--1-800 Contacts is the rare exception that actually does. During my time here, I have felt genuinely supported by my team and leaders, and I know I am trusted in my role and that my work is valued. The company also has great perks (the 20/20 Grille!) and benefits. There are high expectations, but if you are willing to work hard and care about your impact, you will do well here!

Cons

They love gathering feedback and getting lots of opinions--even when those opinions aren't necessarily informed or likely to provide good direction. This can slow things down.

avatar
1-800 Contacts Response
1w
Thank you for your kind words! We try to live our values every day, and we're so happy your experience reflects that. We thank you for all your hard work and contributions to our organization, We do love gathering feedback from our associates, but appreciate your thoughts on how we can improve that process. Thank you again. We hope to work alongside you for years to come!
2.0
Jun 6, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Remote Work Opportunities, On-Site grill

Cons

I worked at 1-800 Contacts for four years in the marketing department. During that time, I consistently produced high-quality work and handled a workload that often exceeded that of my peers. One of the biggest issues I experienced was a culture of toxic positivity. Employees were discouraged from raising concerns about workload, team dynamics, processes, or opportunities for improvement. Constructive feedback was often viewed negatively rather than as an opportunity to make the organization better. My experience ended during an extremely difficult personal period in my life. Rather than receiving support or even a meaningful check-in, I was terminated. What followed was even more concerning. During the termination meeting, I was given conflicting explanations by the individuals involved, and despite requesting the reason for my termination in writing, I never received one. When I later filed for unemployment benefits, the company reportedly provided Workforce Services with a different explanation for my separation, one that did not match what I had been told and that I believe was inaccurate. I subsequently learned of similar experiences from other former employees. I was also disappointed by the severance package, which fell well below what I would have expected after nearly four years of service and contributions to the company. Overall, my experience left me with serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and how employees are treated when difficult situations arise. What I initially perceived as an unhealthy workplace culture was ultimately reinforced by the way my departure was handled.

avatar
1-800 Contacts Response
3w
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re truly sorry to hear that your time with us, especially your departure, didn’t meet the level of support and clarity we aim to provide. At 1-800 Contacts, we strive to foster a culture where feedback is welcomed and associates feel comfortable raising concerns about workload, team dynamics, and ways we can improve. We recognize that experiences can vary, and we take feedback like yours seriously as we continue to evaluate and strengthen our culture. We’re also committed to treating associates with respect and transparency throughout all stages of employment, including during difficult transitions. We regret that this was not your experience. We appreciate your feedback and wish you nothing but success in your future.
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All