For anyone thinking about joining Safilo, I would look into the following and ensure you get answers to the following:
1. Ask why all previous members of senior management have left, and do not accept an answer like "they couldn't accept change"
2. Ask to see the details of the employee survey specifically the us results. HR will try to hide these
3. Ask why employees have commented on this site that HR writes their own positive comments. (Damage Control)
4. Talk to some existing employees outside of HR and get their opinion
5. Find out the number of employees that have left in the last 24 months. Ask what the headcount was in 2013 vs today in the Parsippany location
6. Ask why all initiatives by the CEO have done nothing to increase profitability
7. Ask how many top licenses the company has lost
8. Ask how many key positions today are filled by US employees vs employees from Italy.
9. Ask why employees coming from Italy receive perks such as travel expenses for them and their families, a car, a generous living allowance, a residence, and salaries much higher than US employees. Don't let HR state this is untrue. It can be verified if you know where to look. This company is NOT about diversity and inclusion. It's about being Italian and being excluded!
10. Ask why employees reviews are changed to follow a bell curve. Ask what raises average and what percentage of employees receive raises. Get specific goals and objectives in writing. Don't get fooled. Give details
11. Ask why employees cannot get the frame of their choice, and are stuck just choosing "house brands"
12. Ask why the organizations priorities constantly change
13. Ask about development training for employees. Outside seminars, etc.
14. Find out about career progression if any. They will tell you about opportunities but the only way you will get them is if there is a) no one from Italy to fill it, b) you have a low salary, or c) you are handed it in addition to your current responsibilities, oh and without extra pay!
15. Ask why the stock price has decreased over the CEOs tenure.
Overall my advice is to do your due diligence and not get fooled by the incompetent HR group. If you want to be successful, have management that is interested in your development and progression, and of course make a higher salary year after year based upon a fair evaluation of your performance and contributions, go elsewhere. Join Safilo and you will either be somewhere, or you will be one of those employees that just stays and exists year after year with zero satisfaction.
