Pros
If you like cooing over babies and little kids, TRU is a good place to be. Co-workers are fun, and the environment is okay. If your kid is sick, the managers don't hassle you about missing work. The in-store discounts are wonderful. Working mothers can fashion their available hours after their schedules. Most employees are helpful and cheery, which is a nice thing to walk into. Most managers are also helpful and happy to be there. Many repeat customers come to see you. Community outreach is good, especially at Christmastime. There are usually enough toys in the store to make just about everyone happy.
Cons
No matter how conscientious a worker you are, the bottom line--"metrics"--is the only thing that counts. Although I have seniority over others, metrics is what drives the hours you get to work. Even if you have repeat customers who like you as a person, it doesn't matter. A manager recently tossed a phone book at one of the new hires and said "find some Birthday Club signups." These kids have been randomly taking names and making up kids names in order to get the number of signups required on their goal cards. Hours are seriously cut for those who don't "add up." The managers really hassle you if you have water at your cashier station, despite the fact that cashiers are expected to chat up each customer. The excuse? You're told you can go to the water fountain when you're thirsty. It's not easy to do that at all!
