Great Part-Time Work - Swim Instructor/Front Desk Representative Foss Swim School Employee Review

5.0
Jan 17, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Communicative and understanding management - Set schedules per quarter around your schedule (great for those in schools or with 2nd jobs) - Fulfilling work (especially if you love working with children in an educational-like environment) - Paid 10 minute showers - Holidays off Personal Story: I came to Foss because I love swimming and water polo, and I happen to enjoy teaching as well. I ended up working at the Foss in Glenview Illinois. I love that the classes range from 3-5 (and 7 with the advanced classes) and it’s not too overwhelming. The safety and technique based teaching is a lot more safe for the students, and it’s easier for the instructors to teach. I’m typically used to the high-competitive teaching methods, due to my background, but this curriculum has been a great breath of fresh air. The management has always been accommodating and understanding if I ever missed a shift. I was even involved in a car accident that ended up leaving me temporarily unable to work in the water (in the middle of a quarter) and do any hard physical work while recovering. Instead of just leaving me out of work, they worked with me and my doctor to find work that suited my needs. They gave me more front office shifts (as I still had bills to pay), and were very helpful and patient with me while recovering. I am now fully recovered and my schedule is back to normal with Foss.

Cons

It is somewhat difficult to think of any cons: - Since your schedule is set in stone, it is very difficult to call out before your shift starts. Be sure to call out and find substitution 24-48hours beforehand. It can be rough if you develop a sickness overnight - After in-water care is a must! The in-water shifts can feel like full 8-hour work shifts due to how much energy you use (despite them typically being in 4 hour intervals at Glenview). You will be VERY tired if you don’t stay hydrated, and be sure to moisturize and keep up with skincare - Mandatory cleaning (I do not mind this, but sometimes people can find this tedious, especially after working an in-water shift). It’s just part of the job, and you’re notified beforehand what your cleaning is.

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Foss Swim School Response
1y
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoy the communicative and understanding management, the flexibility with your schedule, and the fulfilling work we do with our students. It's great to know that our safety and technique-based teaching approach resonates with you, and we're happy to offer opportunities for growth and a supportive environment. We understand the physical demands of the role, and our managers are always here to support you. They follow best practices to ensure that everyone feels prepared and supported, whether that’s helping with shift changes, offering guidance on hydration, or ensuring the post-shift cleaning process runs smoothly. Thank you for all your hard work, and we’re grateful to have you on the team!

Explore other reviews about Foss Swim School

5.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great management - lots of lessons but well formatted and comprehensive training.

Cons

Can be overwhelming to new instructors.

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Foss Swim School Response
1w
Thank you for your feedback! We're so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our management team and found our training to be comprehensive. We understand that getting started can feel overwhelming, which is why we encourage new instructors to move through training at a pace that works for them. Our team is always here to provide the support and resources needed to help every instructor feel confident and successful.
3.0
Jun 19, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Gives you space to really develop yourself skills if this is something you want to do.

Cons

It has become corporate and money driven. The bottom line is becoming more important than families. Things feel chaotic and corporate doesn’t communicate well. Management is constantly over worked and underplayed. There is no way to accomplish all of the new mandates corporate has implemented in the last few years

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Foss Swim School Response
1w
Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective and for recognizing the dedication of our school management teams. We agree that our leaders work incredibly hard to support both their teams and the families they serve. As we've grown, we've continued to evolve our processes and programs to better support our schools. Our corporate teams are here to partner with and support our locations in whatever ways they need, and we know that open communication and employee feedback are essential to that partnership. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, as we're always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen the support we provide across our organization. Thank you for your contributions during your time with us. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
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