Pros
Reasonable PTO, Flexible dress-code. Mediocre benefits.
Cons
Pretty much everything else. -unlivable, laughable compensation and commission -revolving added responsibilities based on who management chooses to blame for their own incompetence. -a very unstable, unreliable SDS system that barely functions and often leaves you in very awkward situations. This also includes a barely-functioning time clock. -penny pinching for modern comforts like adult sized chairs for customers -very deceptive bait and switch tactics that upset many customers who expect better pricing. -over-micromanaging area managers who would lie to your face any day of the week to save face or manipulate you. -overly complicated sales packaging that makes it difficult for many customers to understand. -zero support from HR for things like ongoing harassment in the workplace. my former co-worker who in her 60s got continually harassed at our store (with witnesses no less) and when she reported it her job was threatened. she may still sue. I originally worked for Eyeglass World starting Oct 20th, 2020....that is until National Vision decided to put a whole bunch of people out of their jobs at the end of 2024, removing their labs out of the entire Metro Detroit area with little to no notice to it's long time customers and about maybe a month notice to all the long time eyeglass world employees. I was kept due to my lovely old team of coworkers including my old boss and Dr. Hubbard vouching for my importance, hard work and dedication over the years. Then the switch came to America's Best and everything was instantly so much worse. Instead of my yearly raise, I instead received a $2 pay-cut as a 'favor' for my previous years of hard work. Which brings me to the first problem. No one working below Gm level in this place is making a livable wage. Even the lab managers for eyeglass world are paid less than what most other optical competitors pay as a starting wage as just a salesperson. This is merely the tip of the iceberg. Upper management for this area simply does not care whatsoever for the health, well being or happiness of employees whatsoever. I dare say that two certain managers are straight up sociopaths who try and hide behind a VERY thin mask of the slightest shred of human empathy. They expect unnerving amounts of extra tasks and dedication for one of the most laughable wages in the entire industry. I even feel bad for my current/former store manager, as they have been taking advantage of him left and right. One day I'm being lectured to 'stay in my lane' and let other employees handle situations, then another I'm being lectured for not stepping up and interjecting into customer issues when I am by no means labeled, respected or paid as a manager. They will squeeze every ounce of your dedication out of you until you are fed up or simply can't afford your bills and have to move on. Today, after almost 4.5 years with the company, I was told I will be fired in 30 days because I admitted that I, alongside most of my co-workers play wordle and do a crossword together on occasion. It's literally the only leisurely thing our entire team has been able to do for any sense of family or team left in the store, which that sense of family was a HUGE draw to many of our eyeglass world customers. I was told I should have just lied about it instead of being honest, which is absurd-but very telling for how they like to do things. I was also told that because I was a LAB manager at one point that I should be very well equipped to deal with a complete software meltdown and meeting all the customers needs in a company-entirely-at-fault crisis like I am a floor manager. Most lab managers don't touch customer services issues at all and many don't do half of what I do. I don't think this woman understands what a lab manager is even after her arrogant rant of how many years she's been tanking the business. And yet I'm handed a 30 day notice for a couple minutes of a word puzzle with my coworkers, which I might add that I was the only one who received punishment for this, again with a double standard. I offered to simply just stop playing our games and focus more on other things, which I'm clearly an honest person and upfront about my intentions, but they looked absolutely thrilled to hand me their decision regardless. This is the same group of managers that did absolutely nothing in retribution to an assistant manager who spent nearly an entire year reading anime comics on the clock and an entire staff of employees who witnessed it every day, not to mention reports and very personalized reviews about him from customers. Instead they blamed all his shortcomings on my previous manager, which is strange because every other employee on the roster was very well trained with excellent customer service. The 30 days offer was just icing on the cake, presented as if it was a favor to me instead of a way to try and cover for themselves should I just up and quit to put a large gap in the roster, and rest assure I won't be the last. I have a large following of customers who have been coming in for my customer service and doing difficult repair jobs that no one else in the area would dare even touch. I've gone out and rewired and reinsulated two sweet elderly ladies car battery so they could get home safely and not blow up, I've bough customers frames when they had nothing to see with because I couldn't fix their glasses for them. I've trained many employees how to navigate our software, how to do simple and complex repairs and how to troubleshoot difficult issues with customer needs. I've never once in over 4 years had a single customer complaint. The company lost a very helpful, hardworking and consistently reliable employee because two individuals couldn't stand to see anyone enjoying themself for a few minutes every so often. No warnings, no write ups, just termination. I don't know what sort of message Reade Fahs wants his company to send to his customers and staff but I would most certainly hope this wasn't it. I've never once in over 4 years ever seen or heard from the guy so I'm going to give him a poor rating as well. The company stock has plummeted terribly, the penny pinching is getting worse and worse, It ain't looking good for NVI folks. It's really a shame, I was so proud of what I accomplished for people here.