Target Introduces New Approach to Holiday Staffing to Prioritize Safety and Convenience

Rhea-AI Summary

On September 24, 2020, Target (NYSE: TGT) announced its staffing strategy for the upcoming holiday season, emphasizing safety and convenience. The retailer plans to increase resources for contactless services, hire broadly, and allocate more hours to current employees. With over 10 million new online shoppers in the first half of 2020, Target aims to double store staff for Drive Up and Order Pickup services. Seasonal hiring is expected to match 2019 levels, with nearly 40% of seasonal employees likely to stay post-holiday. Target is offering a $15 minimum wage and comprehensive health benefits.

Positive

• Target will double the number of store team members for Drive Up and Order Pickup, addressing increased demand for same-day fulfillment.
• The retailer anticipates seasonal hiring to be on-par with 2019, indicating stable staffing plans during peak shopping.
• Seasonal team members will receive a minimum starting wage of $15, enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.

Negative

• None.

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Target (NYSE: TGT) today shared an overview of its staffing plans for the holiday season, with a focus on keeping its guests and team members safe and offering the easy, convenient services shoppers want. The retailer will add more resources to support contactless services and safety, offer its current team more hours and training opportunities and hire broadly across its stores and distribution centers to serve guests during the holiday season.

"The success of our business strategy rests on the strength of our team and their ability to adjust quickly to the needs of our guests and their changing shopping patterns," said Melissa Kremer, Target's Chief Human Resources Officer. "Throughout the year, the team has successfully balanced strong demand in our stores with surging digital volume. Knowing that the holiday season will be unlike any other, we're building in even more flexibility to make sure Target remains a safe and convenient place to work and shop, while investing in our team's industry-leading pay and benefits."

New Roles for the Holidays

During the first half of fiscal 2020, more than 10 million new guests shopped Target.com and demand for same-day fulfillment options quadrupled. As guests continue to choose same-day services for their holiday shopping, Target will double the number of store team members devoted to Drive Up and Order Pickup, and train additional team members to help during peak shopping periods. Team members will pack online orders that ship directly to guests' homes and continue to fulfill more than 90% of Target's digital orders.

Target's distribution centers will send more inventory to stores than ever before to ensure Target has the most in-demand items. As a result, Target will hire more full-time and seasonal warehouse team members across the country than last year. 

Target also will dedicate team members to the front of its stores who will greet and direct guests and be responsible for safety precautions like cleaning and disinfecting carts and baskets, metering access so guests can maintain social distancing and providing masks to guests who need them. To prepare for the season, Target store and distribution team members have completed more than 400,000 hours of safety training this year, with hundreds of thousands of additional hours anticipated before the end of the year.

New Opportunities for Existing Team Members, Seasonal Hiring

Existing team members will have opportunities to work additional hours in their current roles and train to support different areas of the store. Throughout the holiday season, store leaders will check in regularly with existing team members to understand their schedule preferences and offer opportunities to work more hours if they're interested.

New this year, team members will also have the option to be trained as a back-up in additional areas of the store to help during busy shopping times and offer the team more flexibility. Team members will be trained in areas that are in higher demand during the holiday season, such as Order Pickup and Drive Up.

After taking into account the hours current team members prefer to work, store and distribution center leaders at Target's nearly 1,900 stores and 43 distribution centers will hire extensively to fill a wide range of roles to meet local demands and serve guests throughout the holiday season. The retailer anticipates seasonal hiring to be on-par with 2019. In total, nearly 40% of seasonal hires typically remain with Target following the holiday season.

Team Member Pay and Benefits

Seasonal team members will receive an industry-leading minimum starting wage of $15 and a range of key coronavirus health and wellness benefits, including:

• Free access to health care through virtual doctor visits for all team members through the end of the year.
• Free backup care available to all U.S.-based team members through the end of the year, providing access to center-based and in-home options for childcare or care for elder family members that live with team members. Team members also have access to discounts on tutoring and education resources, as well as help with finding a nanny, childcare center or caregiver as they navigate the impacts of coronavirus, educational needs and family care.
• Mental health support through Target's Team Member LifeResources, which is available 24/7 to all team members, dependents and any member of the household to help with a variety of needs. All team members and their entire household can receive five free counseling sessions per need, per year. TMLR also provides resources for a wide variety of topics like managing money, finding childcare and dealing with stress.
• Personal protective equipment including face masks and gloves to wear at work, along with a home health checklist and a thermometer.
• A waived absenteeism policy for coronavirus-related illness, including quarantine pay for 14 days and confirmed illness pay at 100% of pay for 14 days.

How To Apply

Interested candidates can visit TargetSeasonalJobs.com to apply for store positions and distribution center roles. Store leaders will conduct pre-scheduled interviews with applicants who apply online to discuss Target's dynamic, team-oriented culture. To further ensure team member and applicant safety, virtual and pre-recorded video interviews will be leveraged this year. Prospective distribution center candidates who apply online will also have a contactless hiring experience.

About Target Corporation

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at nearly 1,900 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. For the latest store count or for more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter.

 

 

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SOURCE Target Corporation

FAQ

What is Target's plan for holiday staffing in 2020?

Target plans to enhance staffing for the holiday season by hiring broadly and increasing hours for existing employees to ensure safety and convenience.

How much will Target pay seasonal employees this holiday season?

Seasonal team members at Target will receive an industry-leading minimum starting wage of $15 per hour.

What safety measures will Target implement during the holiday season?

Target will ensure safety by training team members in cleaning protocols, social distancing, and providing protective equipment for employees and guests.

How many new guests shopped at Target.com in 2020?

In the first half of fiscal 2020, more than 10 million new guests shopped on Target.com.

What percentage of seasonal hires typically remain at Target after the holidays?

Typically, nearly 40% of seasonal hires at Target remain with the company after the holiday season ends.