Compliance feels like a pressure cooker - Compliance Specialist 1-800 Contacts Employee Review

3.0
15 Nov 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Some employees and managers do still authentically try to embody the original culture of taking care of employees so we will take care of customers. Flexibility in schedules and time off options.

Cons

We (in Compliance) were recently told that our bonuses are not "participation trophies" and that it is completely up to us how much money we make if we just work harder. While our bonuses are largely in our control it is condescending and ignoring reality to pretend that tiers and handle times are not constantly moving goalposts and that the expectations for handle times are compounding on those who are struggling. "Participation trophies" is expecting something for nothing. None of us are doing that. When you apply all the tips and tricks and shadow the great ones and do everything you can and improve your PPH month over month just to find out that the tiers have moved again and your much improved handle times still aren't good enough for the tier you were aiming, that is not expecting something for nothing. And in the last three months, knowing I have done everything I can to improve, my managers advice has boiled down to essentially "Maybe just try to work faster." Improvement and growth is important for employees, the team and the customers. But ignoring the frustration that comes when we are working towards that goal and ACHIEVING improvement every month is wrong. Especially when the base wage hasn't changed to keep up with the times. To add to all that, it's very rare to go a month without some kind of system issue that becomes our responsibility to work around while maintaining and improving handle times. And lastly there's always a a issue with reporting and some report that is inaccurate and being worked on yet these inaccurate stats are still sent out. How am I to trust that the rest of my stats are accurate? Compliance hasn't had a working dashboard in what I think is two years now (working as far as showing accurate bonus tiers). Yes as a shareholder I'd still be interested in all of this. For the inevitable "talk to your manager" response, I've tried. Two managers now have brushed off my concerns and a third just dressed us down for expecting participation trophies.

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1-800 Contacts Response
2y
Thank you for sharing feedback. Your experience as one of our compliance associates matters to us. We encourage you to connect with your HR business partner as we’d love to partner with you to identify solutions and a path forward. Thank you again for your review. We hope to connect soon.

Explore other reviews about 1-800 Contacts

5.0
18 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Leadership genuinely cares about employees and creating a good company culture. Most companies claim to live their values but rarely ever do--1-800 Contacts is the rare exception that actually does. During my time here, I have felt genuinely supported by my team and leaders, and I know I am trusted in my role and that my work is valued. The company also has great perks (the 20/20 Grille!) and benefits. There are high expectations, but if you are willing to work hard and care about your impact, you will do well here!

Cons

They love gathering feedback and getting lots of opinions--even when those opinions aren't necessarily informed or likely to provide good direction. This can slow things down.

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1-800 Contacts Response
2w
Thank you for your kind words! We try to live our values every day, and we're so happy your experience reflects that. We thank you for all your hard work and contributions to our organization, We do love gathering feedback from our associates, but appreciate your thoughts on how we can improve that process. Thank you again. We hope to work alongside you for years to come!
2.0
6 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Remote Work Opportunities, On-Site grill

Cons

I worked at 1-800 Contacts for four years in the marketing department. During that time, I consistently produced high-quality work and handled a workload that often exceeded that of my peers. One of the biggest issues I experienced was a culture of toxic positivity. Employees were discouraged from raising concerns about workload, team dynamics, processes, or opportunities for improvement. Constructive feedback was often viewed negatively rather than as an opportunity to make the organization better. My experience ended during an extremely difficult personal period in my life. Rather than receiving support or even a meaningful check-in, I was terminated. What followed was even more concerning. During the termination meeting, I was given conflicting explanations by the individuals involved, and despite requesting the reason for my termination in writing, I never received one. When I later filed for unemployment benefits, the company reportedly provided Workforce Services with a different explanation for my separation, one that did not match what I had been told and that I believe was inaccurate. I subsequently learned of similar experiences from other former employees. I was also disappointed by the severance package, which fell well below what I would have expected after nearly four years of service and contributions to the company. Overall, my experience left me with serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and how employees are treated when difficult situations arise. What I initially perceived as an unhealthy workplace culture was ultimately reinforced by the way my departure was handled.

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1-800 Contacts Response
3w
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re truly sorry to hear that your time with us, especially your departure, didn’t meet the level of support and clarity we aim to provide. At 1-800 Contacts, we strive to foster a culture where feedback is welcomed and associates feel comfortable raising concerns about workload, team dynamics, and ways we can improve. We recognize that experiences can vary, and we take feedback like yours seriously as we continue to evaluate and strengthen our culture. We’re also committed to treating associates with respect and transparency throughout all stages of employment, including during difficult transitions. We regret that this was not your experience. We appreciate your feedback and wish you nothing but success in your future.
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