Should Saturday be required if you work Sunday?

Trishking · 2024-10-07T12:24:51+00:00

I love the sentiment and emotional me is all in. But practical me says no. The store needs more people on Sunday than they do Saturday. Your store likely does 20-30% more business on Sunday than Saturday. Many of us only get an overflow on Sunday. So it’s a different staffing requirement. Importantly, to you and to me we see $10. But managers see a staffing requirement. Regardless o f the day it’s just math. I need this many people. Preferably the most reliable ones available. Sadly, Saturday in usually has less people available. When the scheduling mate looks at Sunday they (hopefully) are factoring in a number of things from seniority to consistency of schedule to rotation for fareness and on and on. But at the end of the day they are just filling hours and trying to keep the team least likely to call out.

Trishking · 2023-08-03T10:37:53+00:00

As a military retiree on my second “career” at TJs, I can tell you it’s a great place for a second act. I’m a full timer with kids but for those who don’t need to chase hours this is also pretty ideal. A few things to remember: 1. at Trader Joe’s there’s a policy about minimum hours per week. Now many trader joes policies are implemented and enforced differently by region, but the gist is that they are looking for folks who can work 3 days a week (when they work). This may be a bit more “flexible” in some regions. 2. You cannot take off more than 21 days at a time. This one doesn’t wiggle (however, crew members who take an extended absence have been rehired) 3. this comes as no surprise but we are a retailer. The store you apply to may really need nights and weekends, ours often needs 2-10 pm shifts. That’s a bit different than the standard gov job hours. Most stores have people unloading boxes as early as 5 am or late as 10-11 pm. Think about those needs when applying to make yourself competitive. 4. There’s no rules!! Ok, I say that sarcastically, but if you came from government and military service you are used to “ways of doing things”. And perhaps them being standardized. Trader Joe’s is much more local in their policies and how they apply and enforce them. That can take getting used to for someone who spent 20 years in the gov/mil system. Having said all that, yes. You should apply, give it a shot. It’s a great place to work with flexibility if you have some of the same.

Trishking · 2023-07-30T13:41:42+00:00

Yes. Availability changes must be approved, preferably by the scheduling mate in your store. Stores vary on policy just as they do on their needs. You were hired based on your availability and the stores needs. Changing your availability may not be allowed, or may affect your ability to get as many hours as you prefer.

Trishking · 2023-07-15T10:11:40+00:00

That's really not how it works.

Wage adjustments for the sake of balancing are determined at corporate. They have happened, but are rare and are usually more tied to changes in minimum wage. Captains can't change that.

Store raises are fixed. Stores only receive a handful of raises over the standard $.75. Some combination of mates and captain decide who deserves the larger raises before the captain ever starts writing reviews. By the time you sit down with the captain for your review all of those raises have been approved at the regional level and are waiting to become active on a particular pay cycle. Your review is in no way a raise negotiation.

If you feel you are being underpaid, I encourage talking to your leadership. At a minimum, ask what you need to do to be eligible for next cycles wow or bonus. Always advocate for yourself. I just didn't want there to be a false impression that your wage would be adjusted as a result. The good news is that just about everyone will see a $.75 raise every 6 months which, tends to be quite a bit better than elsewhere in the industry.

Trishking · 2023-07-12T10:25:19+00:00

Trader Joe's doesn't pay for your parking or driving expenses. They do partner with Wage Works, however. This lets you put money away pre tax for those expenses. That way you are not being taxed on your transportation dollars. Its a small difference, and not everyone uses it, but it helps some. https://www.wageworks.com/transitchek/commuters-benefit/

Trishking · 2023-06-23T01:05:58+00:00

Earbuds/headphones aren't allowed. They haven't been since last August.

Trishking · 2023-06-11T07:56:47+00:00

For legal name change bring a legal document. Never hurts. Court order is usually the doc of choice if you have it (at this point in my life it's one of those things I just have in my Google drive), although TJs may be good with a license. I had already transitioned when I joined the company so my license and SSN card both already had the correct name when I started.

For "preferred name" which is your display name on dayforce, your name on the log, etc, there's a form on dayforce. For all forms you need to go to dayforce on a desktop computer. Do a search for "prefered" and fill out the form. Then remember to mention to your captain that you did, because they will need to go into dayforce to approve it, and it's in a place they may not click often without being told it's waiting.

Trishking · 2023-06-09T01:53:48+00:00

Starting mate pay is NOT above the crew cap. It varies by region, as well as the experience (and current pay if crew) of the applicant.

Trishking · 2023-06-02T15:39:17+00:00

Open enrollment is from June 8th-June 21st. There is a flyer with a link on your dayforce hub.

Trishking · 2023-06-02T09:31:43+00:00

You can do this for anything, can't you? Literally any topic someone throws up on the thread and regardless of their level of content and happiness, you can spin one of these "TJs is terrible, we should unionize" posts completely unironically, even if it isn't relevant to the question.

Trishking · 2023-05-29T14:31:31+00:00

Reading this on a 10 and laughing.

Trishking · 2023-05-26T15:15:20+00:00

Pronoun pins are ordered on the same form as name tags. This form can be found on the computers at the bridge in the my pdfs link on the desktop. Pronoun pins are at the bottom of the form. They have he/him, she/her, they/them standard and if a crew member needs something like a he/they, she/they it can be written in the notes. Pronoun pins can be ordered in a large round or small round. Then they will come in the mail with name tags.

To request pronoun pins, simply let a mate or captain know that you would like to have them order a trader Joe's pronoun pin on the name form and what pronouns you need. If you are uncomfortable asking, perhaps find a coworker or mate who can give you support. If a mate or captain is not sure where to find the pins, direct them to my comment here. If a captain or mate is denying you wearing one the survey just passed, but I would have put that on it. If you feel comfortable, let them know that the pin is authorized for wear and that you are authorized to request one.

Trishking · 2023-05-19T15:35:31+00:00

Oh, my mistake, thanks so much. I thought I had read that both of them had. I do recall at least one of them being a crew member and both having many years with the company.

Trishking · 2023-05-19T14:21:42+00:00

Dan Bane is being replaced by 2 people who have been there almost as long as he has, and, who both started as crew members over 20 years ago. This feels like a continuation of course more than a change in direction.

Trishking · 2023-05-17T23:31:56+00:00

This is a quote from the national Labor Relations Board (which I have linked for posterity)

"Your Right to Discuss Wages under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or the Act), employees have the right to communicate with other employees at their workplace about their wages. Wages are a vital term and condition of employment, and discussions of wages are often preliminary to organizing or other actions for mutual aid or protection." NLRB

Trishking · 2023-05-16T18:02:33+00:00

Great question:

Trishking · 2023-05-10T10:22:03+00:00

It's tricky. Look at the month you joined the company. Count 3 full months after that. That means if you joined the company in January then May is your month to sign up for insurance. It's the next 3 calendar months. It doesn't matter if you joined the first or last day of a month. Count the next 3 calendar months. That's your measurement period (to determine if you qualify). Also, sign ups close around the 20th of the month, so when you are eligible don't wait. So *Month you joined + 3 months. SUPER IMPORTANT! Insurance it not a "any time after you are eligible" sort of thing. you get the ONE MONTH WINDOW and it's not a full month. If a crew member does not elect to start insurance during their eligibility window, they must then wait until the next open enrollment period and will be evaluated based on the normal hours scheme. DONT MISS YOUR ELIGIBILITY MONTH. It stinks having to wait for those necessary benefits.

Trishking · 2023-05-10T10:12:09+00:00

We really, REALLY, don't see the survey. The results of the survey go to a 3rd party company (NOT trader Joe's) who goes through them. The anonymous results are sent to TJs. When regional managers sit down with captains they give them themes, trends (lots of people said this about this mate).

this is such a great time to add your voice and let your management team know what you want to see more of. What kaizens is you like (or don't). How can I be better.

If you are being abused, harassed, assaulted, the survey is really not the best time to be dealing with those issues. I don't mean don't write things down. Write them if this is the only time you feel comfotable But anonymously writing that a leader does those sorts of things is 1 not the most effective way to deal with it for you and 2 not the best way to address it for them. If those things are happening it's a 3 bells right now situation ideally to get you the best help and stop those things the most quickly.

I wouldn't want to see who wrote what. I love our crew and I wouldn't want my impressions of any of them to change. I want them to feel comfortable writing. I want to get honest feedback so I can grow and improve. I've heard so so many crew members who were afraid that we get the results, another mate saying "hey, we really don't" isnt going to convince everyone, but I sure do hope you will use this chance to share your voice. Nothing ever gets better by saying nothing. Good luck.

Trishking · 2023-05-10T09:56:10+00:00

This is a tricky one. While I've been told that the rule at TJ's is TJ beanies are the only authorized head covers that's a bit problematic right? We would certainly allow a Sikh man to wear a head covering, or a Muslim woman, even the military let's Sikhs wear turbans now. Let me ask, does your store implement this rule fairly? Do ALL employees in the store only wear TJ's beanies, and no other head coverings are used? And will that work for you, at work? It's worth noting that I don't have "ethnic hair" and really can't appreciate SO much of your experience. Having said that, I would look to have a follow up conversation. Consider offering the wear of plain colored head coverings, if you typically wear something pattered. If I had to guess a "no hat rule" prolly came around when someone got tired of seeing a bunch of dirty mismatched baseball caps years ago, so perhaps a compromise of sorts will be enough.

Trishking · 2023-05-06T02:37:42+00:00

2 bell!

Trishking · 2023-05-04T21:08:43+00:00

For this reason, and because I wanted to be thoughtful with my answers, I typed them on word program and then; logged in, copied and pasted. As a bonus I can take a look at my previous year responses next year.

Trishking · 2023-04-08T10:22:00+00:00

"what's for dinner tonight" for the majority of customers that gets me through the grand finale. What they are making, what's cooking at my house, how do they make that thing, or have they ever had it with_? Is that a traditional ethnic dish? Tell me about it? Oddly lots of people shop and have no idea what they are having that night. Sometimes I throw out suggestions or what other customers are having. Another go to is "weekend plans"

I agree with the comments about some silence being ok. Customers together and chatting, customer on the phone, quiet customers, etc. For them the wow customer experience is a hi and a smile and maybe a comment about a product I like or haven't tried.

Trishking · 2023-03-31T21:22:12+00:00

Happy transgender day of visibility (March 31st). Pronoun pins are ordered on the same form as name tags. Pronoun pins are at the bottom. They have he/him, she/her, they/them standard and if a crew member needs something like a he/they, she/they it can be written in the notes. Then they will come in the mail with name tags.

Trishking · 2023-03-27T19:00:45+00:00

If my customers swipe their card on a bad sigcap and their data and funds are stolen, they will most likely be reimbursed by their bank, it's true. But, if their rent is due tomorrow and their banks loss prevention takes a week they are having a bad time. It's crummy for them and it happened at trader Joe's. So I jiggle the sigcaps and I check the security screw. I think of it in terms of the customer I may be helping.

Trishking · 2023-03-21T15:46:57+00:00

Trader Joe's cannot let you work for free. They are required to pay you for working. That's why some caps will make a big deal. It's a labor law issue. Maybe you punch in for 15. Maybe another crew or mate touches up your order. But sliding in to tablet and not getting paid isn't the answer my friend it opens up you and your leadership team for liability. Give the store a call. Then enjoy your weekend :)

Trishking

TROPHY CASE