Pros
I had a wonderful direct manager (Lab Manager) who truly cares about the quality of her work and bends over backward for her employees. She is a true leader, not just a manager, who supports her team 100%. I started this job with the intention of making it a lifetime career. I was able to get my FIC (final inspector's certification) in less than 6 weeks under great leadership. I was also able to obtain my apprenticeship and was working toward becoming a licensed optician. Most of my co-workers were wonderful people. However, all of this was overshadowed by the "cons" that I'll get to...
Cons
Where do I begin?! If you have any other options, stay away from this company! My wonderful Lab Manager was doing her job as well as the job of General Manager (even though there was a general manager), because he had no clue about the optical field. He was not even able to make a schedule! What he could do well was verbally abuse certain employees, to our face and behind our backs. He clocked employees out before they were finished working on a frequent basis to avoid "exceeding hours for the week". This is theft! When I reported this to HR (the time theft, racist remarks and verbal abuse), they did nothing as they claimed there wasn't enough evidence. The problem there is that every employee has a number and private passcode that they use to clock in and out. So, how can you NOT see that it was not my password being used to clock out?! I guess they're trying to avoid more class-action lawsuits (Google it...they have several pending now for the same thing!). I was working 35-45 hours a week for 7 months (tons of double shifts and "extra" shifts to cover for other employees), but my GM refused to change my status to full-time. I was classified as part-time, even steadily working more hours than the GM, receiving NO benefits and accruing NO PTO time! When I continued to push for full time status, I was fired for being late on a day that I was scheduled to be off! Again, reported to HR with proof of my schedule; they did nothing! I will now be getting the Labor Board involved, and an attorney, if necessary. There are plenty of other companies that will treat you right, pay you well and not put you in a hostile work environment where you're being stolen from! Stay far away from LensCrafters/Luxottica! They promise you the world but it's all lies. Their employees mean nothing to them. It's heartbreaking to give your all and be rewarded by being treated like garbage! Read the stories and lawsuits online...they will substantiate everything I've said!