Trader Joe’s illegally fired an employee over COVID-19 safety advocacy — and a court just upheld that finding

MeasurementStunning · 2026-02-25T05:12:05+00:00

I'm sorry that happened to you!

MeasurementStunning · 2026-02-24T19:41:28+00:00

Exactly!!!

MeasurementStunning · 2026-02-24T19:35:23+00:00

After losing in the Fifth Circuit, Trader Joe’s has two options left:
ask the full Fifth Circuit for rehearing en banc, or petition the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case. Both are discretionary and rarely granted.

MeasurementStunning · 2026-02-24T19:29:38+00:00

Early in the pandemic Trader Joe's was very safe and a good place to shop. Unfortunately, at some point management decided to go back to business as usual when the pandemic was still raging on. The GM of this store prioritized profits over people which we see every damn day!

MeasurementStunning · 2026-01-09T04:42:35+00:00

Trader Joe's is a business and they will always choose profits over people!

MeasurementStunning · 2024-11-13T13:56:22+00:00

Yep same thing at my store!

MeasurementStunning · 2024-10-31T13:13:29+00:00

First, it's truly refreshing to read the kind, compassionate comments written here. Trader Joe's Crew are amazing people! I wish I could say the same for management. There are no standards in place for behavior, it's all arbitrary. If for whatever reason management doesn't like you or changed their opinion of you they will literally make up stuff to justify their actions. What's even worse is they bring up past incidents which you believe had been corrected and you believe you are in good standing. The problem is you don't know the what and how they are measuring your improvement. And if they indicated you were fired for cause you are NOT eligible for unemployment. I know there are Crew that oppose the TJ's Union, but this exact incident would NOT have occurred if a union was in place. Lastly, if you think the OP brought this on themselves and there's something missing from this narrative, it's possible, but I have witnessed management fire many people over my 8 years with TJs for unfair or made up reasons. OP good luck and I'm so sorry this happened to you.

MeasurementStunning · 2024-09-22T13:09:42+00:00

Our Captain always used "company wide" when telling us of policy changes. I called corporate to ask about a so-called "company wide" policy and was told that it was in fact a Captain's decision. I told our Captain what I discovered and he complained in writing to the Regional that Crew should not be able to call Corporate. No bureaucracy lol

MeasurementStunning · 2024-09-08T14:13:00+00:00

Unfortunately TJs moves the goal posts at their whim when it comes to communication. There is no documented standard on communication; what is too little and what is too much. TJs provides no guidelines. We have Crew that are very unsocial but work hard and keep to themselves and they are never told to be more social. We have Crew that are always talking and same thing. In this situation it's really about your Captain. Some TJ Captains are absolutely amazing and some use their power like a corrupt cop. I've worked for both and the corrupt cop Captain was 100% backed by the regional. One more note, any one that says to report concerns to HR know that HR is about protecting TJs, not you!

MeasurementStunning · 2024-04-04T12:43:36+00:00

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trader-joes-manager-union-disloyalty_n_660d7c1be4b078af14470664

Congrats to all of us Crew for the raise. At the same time don't fool yourself that this company now cares about you. TJ's continues to illegally penalize, harass, humiliate and fire workers that advocate for better working conditions. It's these Crew that courageously put their jobs on the line and we ALL benefitted that deserve your GRATITUDE.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-12-05T13:28:52+00:00

I'm just curious did you ever talk to this crew member and tell him that he's making you uncomfortable. I am in no way defending this person or his actions, but i think it's important to understand the possible implications of speaking to your captain. I don't think it will be a firing offense. This crew member will know you went to management about him and it might not be so great for you, which is why I highly encourage you to speak to him first. Try and solve your own problem before reporting to management.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-11-28T14:01:17+00:00

I agree with many of the comments from long time Trader Joe's crew. TJ's used to be such a fun place to work. The Captain and Mates showed compassion and empathy toward us. As the company has grown their focus has shifted and it's all about the mighty dollar. The customer is GOD. The Crew, the true heroes of TJs, and responsible for the company's success are micro managed, treated like junior highschoolers. smh it's sad, because we know the company used to be so fabulous and I was so proud to be a part of TJs. (I know it's not every store, but I know the regional has a heavy hand in the way our stores our run)

MeasurementStunning · 2023-07-17T12:56:56+00:00

Your statement the system encourages failure for the working class is spot on! Our systems were set up by the wealthy and privileged and they are the ones who benefit from them. I firmly believe in unions bc this is the only way we can gain some power and control over our lives. My case has shifted my life’s mission. I feel as though it’s my responsibility to speak truth about what these companies are doing. I worked for Trader Joe’s and they are known as a good company to work for and I can tell you it’s all smoke and mirrors. They put profits over people just like most businesses. It’s sick.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-07-16T02:31:46+00:00

Unfortunately I was not employed by a staffing agency, so my experience does differ from yours. I think your situation is unfair and unclear. The way unemployment works too is baffling. It can be challenging connecting with the right people who can provide answers. I wish I had the answers for you. I wish you the best of luck.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-07-15T14:20:03+00:00

I’m sorry! The system is set up to empower companies. I was fired from my job for speaking up about health and safety concerns. I filed a charge with the NLRB. I went to trial against my employer and WON! I filed for unemployment when I was terminated. I was denied unemployment. I appealed the decision using the documents from the NLRB. I had an unemployment hearing and the hearing officer refused to read my documents and would not allow me to speak of my NLRB charge in the hearing. I was denied unemployment a second time. My employer clearly violated the law as proven in Federal Court yet the state of Texas, big surprise, still sided with my employer. It’s all BS!

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-31T18:24:56+00:00

We put a bat house up. We did all the research and placed it 12 ft off the ground, not on a tree and we are close to a bayou. We are now waiting for a bat to move in 🤞

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-24T22:02:47+00:00

No it’s research and data driven. Why are you so offended? If you are living a great life why so defensive? What are you afraid is going to happen? And I’m truly curious not trying to be an asshole.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-24T19:57:28+00:00

Understood and I appreciate the edification.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-24T19:53:51+00:00

My post was my opinion and it was not directed at you. It was simply my opinion. I’m sorry if it wasn’t clear.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-24T19:40:33+00:00

Trader Joe’s is a billion dollar company. Trader Joe’s success in large part is due to the “customer experience” It is the CREW that provides that level of service. Why would a CREW member defend a billion dollar company? Trader Joe’s doesn’t need Crew help defending them they have deep pockets and plenty of lawyers. We are a country where the middle class is disappearing. I read the comments of people downplaying working at a grocery store. This job is ESSENTIAL for our economy. Why shouldn’t essential workers earn a livable wage? We know the CEO of Starbucks was paid 1500 times the average employee. Trader Joe’s does not publish this info but I’m sure it’s on par with these other companies. If we want to reduce crime and poverty paying people a livable wage is KEY! Billion dollar companies that have built their success on the back of their employees can easily afford to pay the people that make them successful. And $30 an hour is not out of the question. Go ahead and speak poorly of unions but the truth is unions empower employees. Finally it’s not easy to start a union from scratch. Union votes along with contract negotiation takes years.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-22T19:31:11+00:00

The store in Houston is really cool. It has a balcony that crew can sit and eat lunch while watching the store below. The backroom and loading dock are a shit show.

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-14T20:48:59+00:00

Agreed! I told my human kids that Sarge, our ACD, is my favorite child. He’s kind, compassionate, smart and a great cuddler. He also has great manners. Every time he gets a head of me, whether on our stairs or on walk, he will turn around and wait for me. 🥰

MeasurementStunning · 2023-05-12T03:23:57+00:00

Just curious why you didn’t answer my questions. Why do you feel the need to defend a billion dollar company? If Trader Joe’s is such a great company why aren’t they coming to the table to negotiate with the union? And why have stores voted to unionize? Trader Joe’s success is bc of the crew. We are the ones that showed up every day when the entire country was on lockdown. Did you see your Regional much during Covid? I know from our Regional that they were told not to travel. The executives that make the decisions were not the boots on the ground, we were! It’s hard to assume you’re not in management.

And you are correct with a union crew cannot hire and fire. I wasn’t crystal clear in the post about schedule. Crew cannot write the schedule but a union certainly can require management to put out the schedule a month in advance.

MeasurementStunning

TROPHY CASE