A member of my family is employed at Lenscrafters in Montana, and it has come to my attention that there may be some "creative" hiring and scheduling going on in order to not have to provide benefits to some employees.
Specifically, there is a position for which my family member works part time; but only slightly less than full time. The hour range is 34-38 hours per week. With multiple part time employees. When one is terminated or quits, the current part time employees are interested in full time work (which come with insurance benefits, and part time does not) but instead a new, part time person is hired, and trained, and no one gets more hours - or any benefits.
I am starting to look into a few other Lenscrafters to see if this is the case in other locations as well, or specific to this one location.
If this is corporate policy, written or not, the company should be ashamed. From their website:
Benefits
We offer eligible associates a competitive benefits package that's among the best in the retail industry, including*:
* Medical, dental and life insurance plans
* Short-term and long-term disability plans
* 401 (k) plan and pension plan
* Dependent care assistance
* Generous associate discounts
* Employee assistance program
* Paid time off and paid holidays
* Tuition assistance
* Flexible full-time and part-time schedules
* Adoption Assistance
Who gives a rat's *ss if your benefits package is among the best in the industry if you actively prevent employees from receiving it by flooding the employee pool with part timers and refusing to let any of them be full time?
Hiring three people at 35 hours each is sneaky and doesn't sit right with me. Hire for full time, give the benefits. Not only will you NOT get the reputation of being manipulative and deceptive and cheap, but you may get more loyal employees and not have to shell out for training ANOTHER new part-timer.
These are families with children, and the healthcare issue is at the forefront of the upcoming election. Why not be a part of the solution instead of the problem?
What say you, Lenscrafters? Can you step up and provide for the employees that line your coffers?
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