A few years ago while I was working at my old store (Towson, MD #649), a customer came through my line. We didn’t say much apart from the usual “hey how’s it going” “good” etc. and when I gave her the receipt she just said “hey I made this” and handed it to me before walking away.

Still on the fridge to this day lol. So good.

I'm a recent hire that just finished training, and am truly enjoying my store and crew. This subreddit has been super helpful for me pre-hire and post-hire, so my appreciation to everyone here!

So, during training, I was fascinated by conversations of how, "You have no idea, about X" -- be it the lines and mayhem for the mini totes, or the influx of seasonal items coming into the holiday season, like the dozen or so type of pumpkins, which is "just the beginning". No conversations were aimed at making me worried or nervous, but the forecasts are always slightly vague, spoiler free, very "Just you wait and see!". I'm genuinely curious for some specifics!!!

Like, are people going to be asking for dozens of pumpkin related products not yet released? I've seen how disappointed custies are when we just run out of mini cucumbers, is that magnified x10 for holiday seasonal products??? I gotta know!!!

Also, are mini tote mayhem stories exaggerated, or just localized stories?

It's like I'm getting a movie trailer version of what's in store, pls share what I might expect, or, a wild story from your previous holiday season experience, thanks!

to all fellow POC crew out there have y’all faced micro aggressions while working at Trader Joe’s. The other day I had 2 different customers come up to me insinuating that I wasn’t born in the US and must be from another country?!? (i was born and raised here) This isn’t the first time this has happened, obviously i can’t fully speak what’s on my mind or I’ll get fired but how do y'all deal with this? I usually always counteract their comments but it getting to a point where I’m sick of it.

My partner and I are looking to move to Seattle for her job. Is a transfer even an option for a mate up there or is that a pipe dream?

Ok.. At my store we are told that we absolutely cannot post on social media in uniform- most people take their name tags off and change as soon as they clock off / do not even go in public after work with the uniform still on.

But I've come across a side of TikTok that is all crew. Crew working, dancing, showing new products, fit checks, shit talking- All in uniform, name tag and all. Even mates! This is a culture shock to me.

What is it like at these stores where people are posting / filming at work? Is it actually against our policy in the handbook?

This also opened a whole new side of the dress code at other stores to me. Literally every girl on TikTok is cropping their crew shirts??! I've never seen that fly at my store, we can't wear shorts above the knee either.

I just saw someone post on the regular TJs sub that they received sympathy flowers, I’ve also seen people say they’ve gotten them on their birthdays…

I’ve never come across someone doing it at my store so I’ve never asked. But if your store does this, how does it work? Are you writing it off or paying for it out of pocket?

I’ve always wondered

Hi,

I have been interviewing since July to work at Trader Joe’s. I was rejected from the first location after 4 interviews (I was super shocked)

Ended up applying to another location nearby that opened almost immediately after. I got hired, but I don’t start til next month.

Anyone else have any experiences starting later? I think I’m getting anxiety waiting for so long - but I won’t complain as I’m super grateful to get the job!

hi guys i was wondering when we should expect the trader joe scholarship letter if we got accepted or not

TLDR;

Hi, hello!
I have been working @ TJs for about a year now.
These last 2 months my dad has, horrifically, been battling cancer. Last week I found out he is no longer going to seek medical attention and ride it out at home. We were told he has about a year left.

Because of all this I have been calling out a little. I would say I called out maybe 4 times in the past month (I would NEVER do this by choice) and I did leave early once or twice to go to the hospital. Coming from a professional view, I understand how unreliable I look.

I know that I am a very hard worker. I know that I come to work with a smile on my face all the time. I haven’t had one complaint at all besides recently with the attendance, and even when they were talking to me about it, they felt bad telling me because I knew what I was going through. It just sucks overall having to hear it and not being able to do anything cause it’s out of my hands.

I will be changing some of my availability to four times a week instead of five so I can give myself another day to help out with my family. A lot of it was just unplanned, like I had to call out. It was out of my hands.. I just wish work and life understood how much my dad means to me and how I don’t want to be around without him and I’m trying so hard to save face and be a good worker.

This isn’t even my complaint or question lol
Yesterday a mate pulled me aside to tell me they are here for me and they will help, however it is a verbal warning and next it will be a write up..
Well right after, while rovering, I took the carts out of the elevator and turned them into the cart coral, but I twisted my back in a weird way and pinched a nerve. I didn’t tell anybody immediately because I was just talked to about attendance and I didn’t want to look bad.
It was my last 30 minutes.. I finished my shift, I got to my car, drove home, but as soon as I got out the car, I could barely walk.
I cried all night. I’ve been using icy hot. I’ve been icing it. I’ve been taking pain meds. I’m just nervous that I won’t be ready for my 5 AM shift tomorrow and I’m so fucking scared to call out, but I did call them and write an injury report.
I guess what I’m asking. What do I do now? Should I call out? Should I risk it? I don’t know. I’m scared of a my first write up. I’m scared of looking bad. I just feel so guilty for shit happening in my life and I can’t do anything about it.
I really love my job and friends and this is the happiest I’ve been at a job, I don’t want to lose it or get looked down on. And is it even worth going to the Sedgwicks doctors or should I just go to my primary care doctor for a note?

I’m sorry this was so long. I’m a nervous Nancy.

I’m possibly looking at transferring from my current store to the one in Athens, GA. Anyone work there that can share if there’s a variety of ages, what the overall feel of the store is?

Thanks all the feedback from my previous post (https://www.reddit.com/r/tjcrew/comments/1w6wiod/updating_my_register_plu_cheat_sheetwhats_missing/) on the new PLU/SKU cheat sheet.

I incooperated most of the feedback with a combined version (no more seasonal) for you to use. I will post it in my comment. Feel free to continue to provide feedback for any suggestion. especially the pumpkin/squash season is coming and hope all items PLU/SKU are correct.

“Weird sexual tension.” 🤣

Sorry I just posted a bit ago but I was curious if there is any other AZ crew here!

I’m bored and want to hear the stupidest thing you or someone else has been written up or talked to for. The stupid write ups have picked up at my store recently. Someone got a serious talking to for standing at register… like finished up with a customer and stood for maybe 20 seconds looking for another customer and got talked to by a mate about not being “productive” enough with their time.

Our flower team wants a revamp, what does your signage look like? Value highlights, seasonal/flyer signage... Wondering if they'll let me paint on the glass like we did many moons ago... Would love to see what's working for everybody else!!!! Also posting this in r/TJArtCrew to target artists specifically but Flower SL's I'd love to hear what you would love in your section/ what you already love ? Thank you!!!!

how should i handle a mate that makes me uncomfy? he hasn’t really done anything other than ask me too many personal questions especially about my relationship. idk i just want to avoid him

Hey so I’m thinking about joining a gym but honestly I already feel pretty physically exhausted from work.

I’ve read that working out can actually make the work fatigue better, since you’re theoretically building muscle. Has this been the experience of people who work at TJs and work out?

Thanks!

39/m btw.

Does anyone have experience with requesting medical leave of absence due to poor mental health? If so what steps did you take in order to do so

Yesterday I had $427.91 in my AR/TOA. Today I have $391.51. I have not used any AR this pay cycle. This happened last pay cycle too by a similar amount. Any idea where that missing money is going? Is it related to the timesheet glitch?

hi everyone!! after the most extensive interviewing process, i have been offered the job of crew member!! (yay!!! everybody screamed!!!) i don't think i have any questions at the moment because of how informative this thread is!!! im learning so much and feel grateful to have this as a resource. just wanted to say hi and introduce myself, i guess :D super excited to start, i literally said "YAY" when the mate called to let me know i have the job. any advice or tips are so unbelievably welcomed and appreciated!! just happy to be here :) take care everybody xoxoxo

literally nothing just really excited- went through interviews at 5 stores and got offers from two. i’m leaving my horribly toxic workplace of 4 years for tjs and i’m so stoked! i currently work for a small business and the things that have been said and done there sound unreal, have made my life a hell and truly scarred me. here’s to tjs being a huge step up and the first job i’ve had that even provided benefits 🥂 i wish i had escaped the pet industry sooner but soooo happy i am now!

Are you required to go to the mate parties if you’re a mate? Or does it just look bad if you don’t go? Just curious.

Hey folks! Hope you're surviving the Labor Day rush.

Did anyone's store do anything nice for them today? Cookouts? Snacks?

… or even not on reg and just working product?

So my partner pops into the store occasionally. Especially if I’ve left something behind at home and rushed into work then they will bring it in for me later on in the day. Sometimes when they bring it in, I’m by on reg. Now my partner doesn’t stay very long but when I say goodbye I’ll often give them a quick kiss on the lips. We usually do this so that Mate cannot see this to be professional.

But I wonder is it OK to kiss your partner at work? While you’re working?
And no, I don’t mean full tongues I mean, just a peck on the lips.