The Only Workplace That Made Immediate Resignation My Only Option - Trainee Optical Assistant Specsavers Employee Review

Annual leave isn't competitive like they say it is online Management lack empathy Lack of accountability from management Not great when handling bereavement issues for staff members. Following the recent death of my grandfather, I came in to work the day after his death as we were short staffed and felt the need to support my colleagues despite the circumstances. I was disappointed by the lack of empathy and genuine support shown. When I requested one day off, management, fully aware of my circumstances, offered me a shift swap instead of granting the day off outright. This response felt cold and it felt like they were unwilling to extend genuine support. While this approach may have been seen as sufficient from management’s perspective, to me, it signalled a lack of real care and understanding. The following day, I took the day off to grieve and organise things for the funeral; I received a phone call from management and I was reprimanded for going into the staff room to take essential phone calls related to my grandfather’s passing, even though I had a supervisor’s permission to do so. To be told that the team were under pressure and that they had to take on the workload ,under these circumstances was not only shocking, but very unfair. To be told that handling my personal problems was a problem for the team, was deeply hurtful. CCTV would have shown the emotional state I was in when I went into the staff room to compose myself. This response from management left me feeling distressed and unwelcome at a time when understanding and compassion were most needed. Additionally, the supervisor who let me use my phone regarding my grandfather's passing may be facing reprimand despite trying her best accommodate to my needs during that difficult period. This has left me with the impression that, the company choose protocol over personal well- being when a staff member is going through a difficult time. That was the leeway I appreciated. It's a shame that the optometrist was compelled to apologise for the way this situation had been dealt with whereas the management should have taken responsibility for that.