What is the hiring process like at Specsavers?

Interview process was smooth and quick

Instant dismissal if you discuss how much you get payed with colleagues

There were some nice people on the shop floor who made the workday more manageable and enjoyable. The shop floor managers were supportive and approachable, easy to talk to. The in store trainer was lovely and is very good at what she does also very easy to speak to and very knowledgeable.

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

Great benefits, sick days and vacation days are pretty good. They provide thorough training and materials for staff who are new to the optical industry. Selling is easy because they have good prices and products selection.

Management is a hit or miss. If you land a job in a busy and well established location, you have better luck at securing your hours and possibly higher pay. If the store partner is not taking care of the team, it will be a hard time for you. Their business model is franchise, so you can expect some competition between the stores instead of working together or providing inter-store support. Company and management and store partners’ value don’t align. It’s not a place for growth. If you are looking for part time or casual full time job while looking for something more long term, it will be a good fit for you.

Good for building up your experience of the retail process.

Low pay addling days on your feet.

Nice optometrists and staff Discounts on glasses and contact lenses Career Progression Nice customers Can book annual leave for December

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.

Easy to get the role

Poor products compared to other companies