Pros
After many glaring issues of employee abuse and mismanagement over the past several years, Essilor upper management has turned their focus into improving the situation in Toronto, and it shows. The overall climate has evolved to one of mutual collaboration and respect, with the worst offenders of the above having been removed from the company. The health benefits provided by Essilor are very good, and the employee eyewear program means that you will have a new pair of glasses every year. Depending on your bilingual status, there are numerous opportunities to rise up in responsibility and trust (but not so much in pay).
Cons
"French ceiling" - there is a cap to your professional growth if you do not speak French. Being a company from France, with a Canadian home office in Montréal, this makes sense - but it is very frustrating to experience in Toronto. Compensation is simply not adequate. Year after year lower-level employees must continuously sacrifices to their person lives purely for the purpose of continuing to work for Essilor while surviving in the GTA. Personally, if I ever need to resign from the company it will be due to lack of adequate pay and no other reason.