The eyewear company that uses ‘any excuse’ to host employee celebrations was praised for the autonomy and support it offers its employees.

 

Warby Parker is the disruptive eyewear retailer launched online in 2010, taking on eyewear licensing giants like Luxottica and Safilo with a vertically integrated model that offers consumers style-conscious glasses at significantly lower prices. Today, the company has an estimated value of over $1 billion — a fact attributed as much to its culture as to its disruptive business model. 

Its employees agree. “There is a happy and authentic vibe at Warby Parker that I notice is different to what I experience when I visit friends or peers. I look forward to seeing my co-workers and we work together to solve problems, and never have a ‘not my job’ mentality,” says one communications specialist. 

Warby Parker was also consistently praised by its employees for the autonomy it grants them. “My opinion is taken seriously: I get to make my own decisions, take my own risks and try new things,” says a brand specialist. “There’s so much ability to work freely and explore ideas, but helpful and actionable feedback is always given,” adds a recruiting consultant. Having just crossed the 1,000 employee mark in 2017, Warby Parker is as committed as ever to its belief that employees are more engaged and impactful as a united yet autonomous team. 

Philanthropy is at the heart of the company’s operations. For every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need through the company’s “Buy-a-Pair, Give-a-Pair” programme. To date, Warby Parker has distributed over two million pairs of glasses to people in need.