The job postings and application process are misleading. I applied for a FULL TIME position with benefits and was offered this position. However, all of us new hires were told at orientation that full-time hours are not guaranteed but that we could pick up shifts in their app to get more hours outside of busy season. I was immediately discouraged by this because I specifically accepted this offer (and left my previous job) under the impression that I would be getting full time hours AND health benefits. The store I worked at was clearly overstaffed and therefore NO ONE (except management) received full-time hours (30 hours or more). You were lucky to get even 25 hours a week (most of us were scheduled 12-20 hours a week which clearly doesn't pay the bills). There were hardly any extra shifts available to work that fit my availability. I worked early morning shifts (start time between 4 am and 9 am) and the only shifts that were usually ever available to pick up were closing shifts. In addition, these were mostly shifts in departments that I did not have any training and it was like pulling teeth to get team leads/management to cross-train many people so they could pick up extra hours. I did NOT take this job just to work split shifts every single week and barely have any time to enjoy life outside of work while hardly making enough money to cover my bills and contribute to savings. I expected to work 6-8 hour shifts 4-5 days a week, which used to be the norm when I worked for Target several years ago. You never had to compete for hours like you do now. A lot of employees were desperate for full-time hours (and benefits) so it felt like a constant competition to try to pick up shifts before someone else grabbed them. Some employees would also ask around to see if anyone was willing to give up their scheduled shift so they could get more hours. It was ridiculous and I don't blame the employees for that, I blame management and the corporate execs. When you're hired for a job that was advertised as full-time, you should be given full-time hours, not be given the runaround and basically told full-time hours usually only apply during "busy season" (back-to-school, Christmas, etc.). If that's the case, indicate this in the job description and application! I will never work for Target again because of this. Morale also seemed pretty low a lot of the time at the store I worked at. You're expected to work your butt off for low pay and no health benefits. As in many service professions, burnout is highly possible. No thanks. It seems Target's business model for hiring and employee management has become more like a gig work scenario and this is disappointing. Turnover seemed pretty high as well at times. Target no longer seems that invested in their employees, aka the foundation of their company. Meanwhile, the corporate execs are raking in millions and bonuses on top of that. If you're a student living at home or simply looking for part-time/gig work, this may be a good fit for you for the short-term but aside from that I would strongly advise anyone looking for a steady, long-term job or career to avoid this place.
