I'd avoid working here completely - Optical Assistant Specsavers Employee Review

The workplace was deeply flawed, with clear favouritism creating an unfair and toxic environment. Despite the demands of the role, employees were only paid minimum wage, which failed to reflect the workload or expectations. There was no direct HR department, leaving staff with no proper channel to report incidents or address conflicts. The environment was insular and cliquey, where anyone who didn’t fit in was quickly made to feel unwelcome. Directors routinely used CCTV to monitor shop floor activities, an invasive and illegal practice. Employees were constantly watched, and even harmless actions, like chatting with a colleague for too long, could result in being summoned to the office or reprimanded over the phone. This created an atmosphere of distrust and anxiety. The directors were unprofessional and volatile, prone to mood swings that made addressing issues nearly impossible. Their erratic behaviour left not just employees but also upper management feeling as though they were walking on eggshells daily. There was no clear progression track for employees, and opportunities for advancement varied depending on the person. The process was competitive, inconsistent, and often lacked transparency. Some individuals were fast-tracked for certifications, while others weren’t even given the option to progress, regardless of their performance or dedication. Once again, favouritism played a significant role, leaving many staff feeling demoralised and undervalued. The workload could become overwhelmingly busy, with sales targets prioritised over the well-being of staff. At its worst, the clinic would run hours behind schedule, leading to understandably frustrated customers and patients. However, instead of support from management, the blame would fall squarely on staff, further compounding the stress and pressure. Over time, this toxic environment severely impacted my mental health, leading to a significant decline. I reached the lowest point in my life and felt utterly overwhelmed and depressed while working there. A particularly appalling incident involved a staff member who organised collections for occasions like birthdays or celebrations. When three colleagues became pregnant, collections were organised for two of them, but one was intentionally excluded simply because the organiser didn’t like them. This cruel and deliberate exclusion left the individual feeling bullied and deeply hurt. The issue was reported to the directors, but instead of taking appropriate action, they sided with the organiser. Shockingly, they even went as far as to threaten the employer who reported the incident, warning them that they could be now be fired on the spot as they had confronted the organiser to question why someone had been intentionally left out. This left the colleague who was excluded so upset that she never returned to work and also made the person who got threatened to be fired to also leave the company. By failing to intervene and actively discouraging accountability, the directors enabled the organiser to continue her harmful behaviour unchecked, further emboldening her and perpetuating the toxic environment. There are so many more examples like this, but it’s impossible to fit them all into one review. I would be happy to discuss further if contacted. After finding a new job, I’ve realised that being treated in this manner is far from normal in any workplace. Respect, fairness, and employee welfare should be foundational, yet these values were entirely absent at Specsavers. I would never go back or even consider working there again, nor would I recommend it to anyone seeking a supportive or professional work environment