Used to be great - Rx Specialist 1-800 Contacts Employee Review

3.0
Apr 14, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get to work with some really great people. Cafeteria with subsided meal plan. Tuition reimbursement of $2500 for full time employees a year. 401k, medical and dental for working only 30 hrs a week.

Cons

Recently 1800 Contacts was sold and bought by another company. In the past 4 months things have gone down hill. This is also when Jonathan Coon retired from being our CEO. It use to be an amazing place to work. Since the purchase in January it has been non stop changes, which have been for the worse. Instead of $5000 a year for tuition its only $2500. The cost of benefits went way up, and how much you pay is no longer dependent on what you make. Vacation time is a joke. It is impossible to move up.

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1-800 Contacts Response
12y
This opinion does not reflect the most fundamental aspect of our Company culture which is the customer. We value customer service as one of the core pillars of our organization and are appalled that an associate would ever refer to customer work as “dirty work”. We do, however, appreciate that this associate recognizes that “you get to work with some really great people” here at 1-800 CONTACTS. We take every conscious effort to hire only the best talent into our organization which makes 1-800 CONTACTS the successful and great place it is today. Recently 1-800 CONTACTS was sold by WellPoint and purchased by private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners. We are both thrilled and excited to be a part of a family of companies with such respected and recognizable brands owned by T.H. Lee. We regret that this associate feels like things have gone “down hill” since the purchase. We have only just begun to realize the great potential we have with T.H. Lee and are still in the planning and strategy phase for 2015 and beyond. The Senior Leadership team and our associates are excited for the new challenges and opportunities ahead for our organization. We are also proud of the many associates who have grown with the organization since its inception and have been promoted into leadership roles over the past years. Most of our Senior Leadership in the Company started as individual contributors in the organization.

Explore other reviews about 1-800 Contacts

5.0
Jun 18, 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
1w
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
Jun 6, 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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