Complaint Review: L.A. Weight Loss

I worked for L.A. Weight Loss from May 2006 to September 2006- the 3 most dreadful months of my life! The company appeared as a disaster from the beginning. My interview, which was done in the middle of a stairwell, emphasized the importance of helping people and caring for the well-being of their lives. Although the pay was a hidious 9.00 plus commission, I was so desperate for a job, I took it!.

When I attended the orientation, I became very suspicious when all of the "big-wigs" of the company were morbidly obese! Wow! Then, although this seems insignificant, I was told that they do not offer direct deposist except for the executive-level employees, and their healthcare benefits are over $200.00/month!

When I started actually working at a center, I noticed that I would be working with some more fat employees! I thought to myself, "if this is such an effective program, why are all the employees so fat?" Surprisingly, the head counselor was the fattest- every morning she ate cupcakes smoked cigarettes! Is this part of the plan?

When I first had the opportunity to sell someone a program, I failed because the client, who was a 19-year-old college student who just bought a home, informed me that she did not have enough money for the L.A. lites and the program. I told her I understood, and didn't pressure her anymore about buying anything else. When my greedy manager found out that I did not "bite her head off" to buy those ineffective products, she told me "this should have been a very easy sale- I looked in her wallet and saw and American Express and a Mastercard. She can pay for the program and the lites using her credit cards." I though this was so unprofessional, I went home that night and immediately started looking for a job.

I was also surprised that the center that I worked for did not hire maintenance to clean the bathrooms, the client rooms, windows, etc. and this was done by the employees! I have never worked for a company where all of these tasks were done by the employees! In addition, there were no incentives for the employees such as tuition reimbursement, GOOD healthcare benefits, direct deposit, and even a lunchroom/breakroom (we ate down an unfinished, mice-infested basement).

Everything about this company spelled unethical- from the district manager on down. I am so happy I quit the company and got a real job. I feel bad for anyone who fell onto their trap and bought anything besides the program, I don't feel bad for any of those scam-artist employees who may have gotten laid-off. What goes around comes around!

Glad I got out when I did!
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.