ToysRUs to hire 35,000 seasonal employees

[panader0]

Okay, they are only seasonal, but still, it's the first hiring I've heard of for quite a while. Yay Xmas!
Sorry, no link, I saw this on TV this morning.

[bluestateguy]

1. They'l probably get 3 million applicants

but it's better than nothing, I guess.

[Recursion]

2. It also means they think people will be buying stuff this Christmas season

And that's a good sign

[DireStrike]

3. I applied a while back. They sent me 2 recruitment emails so far for seasonal employment.

I had two series of interviews going at different places simultaneously and luckily I never heard back from ToysRUs. A large portion of the interview focused on how I would deal with incredibly irate customers. REALLY angry ones. "We get that ALL THE TIME" says the interviewer.

I can understand why. Walking around the store, I was struck by the obscene prices. For a parent, knowing that even if you're willing to be robbed in exchange for a toy you will still have difficulty finding the hot one that your kid wants, would be nightmarish.

None of the employees were happy. I'm sure they pay garbage too. And there is always the danger of being trampled...

[TwixVoy]

7. I did my time in retail... all the way from a stocker to management

trust me AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE if you can. ESPECIALLY these days. Pay and benefits are even worse than they were just a few years ago. (when they were already shit) You will also be lucky to average 20 hour weeks.

The retail industry is NOT in a period of growth and won't be any time soon.... Basically it is a waste of time.

If you can afford not to AVOID retail/food service jobs. Don't even consider them.

[DireStrike]

9. Oh, I know.

I can't afford to avoid those jobs. Shit happened, mistakes were made, and for now I gotta deal with this. I'm out as soon as I can be.

Aside from being in a crappy industry position, it's thankless and soul crushing work. I'll do enough to ensure a few good references, though they'll only apply in the general sense.

[kestrel91316]

4. ......any port in a storm......

This is a baby step in the right direction.

In my neighborhood, four new businesses will be opening up soon. Can't tell yet what 3 will be, but one will be a nice cafe/restaurant. Presumably all will hire at least several F/T employees.

The BIG breakthrough will come if/when Vons/Pavilions finally opens its big up-scale grocery store across from my office and down a block. They have had plans in the works for years, and I am sure the recession delayed it. It's a remodel of an existing shopping center long since vacated. I can't wait.

[MNDemNY]

5. They are bringing most of them in from Bangladesh.

[aaronbav]

6. Who? Workers for ToysRUs? Please LINK to where you got this info...

on bringing in foreign workers - not that I would doubt they WOULD do this while so MANY American go unemployed.

[MNDemNY]

10. You want a link to my butt?

[Why Syzygy]

8. Feds Seek Fines Against Toys R Us In Bensonhurst

Feds Seek Fines Against Toys ‘R’ Us In Bensonhurst
by Brooklyn Eagle ([e-mail]), published online 09-30-2009

Exits, Fire Extinguishers Found Deficient

BENSONHURST — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $69,000 in fines against Toys ‘R’ Us for 10 alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards following an inspection of the toy retailer’s store at 8973-95 Bay Pkwy. in Brooklyn.

OSHA’s inspection found hazards that could impede the swift exit of workers from the store in the event of a fire or other emergency. These included obstructed exit access, missing or defective exit doors, an exit door that was painted over and could not be opened, improper or inadequate exit signage, employees not trained in fire extinguisher use and all fire extinguishers not kept in their required locations.

“It is vital that emergency exit routes be available and properly marked at all times,” said Kay Gee, OSHA’s acting area director in Manhattan. “There can be no delay in exiting a workplace during a fire or other emergency when the difference between escape and injury or death can be measured in seconds.” The store also has been cited for damaged storage racks that were prone to collapse, aisles not kept clear for mechanical handling equipment, an inadequately covered floor hole and failure to certify that workers had been trained in the proper operation of motorized hand trucks.

OSHA has issued Toys ‘R’ Us three repeat citations with $50,000 in proposed fines, for the obstructed exit route, blocked aisle and damaged storage racks, as it had cited the company in 2006 and 2007 for similar hazards at stores in Ohio and New Jersey. (...)

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=4&id=31053

[CanonRay]

11. Anyone know how many they USUALLY hire?

Is this high? Or low?