#toysrus

Are you one of the 31,000 employees affected by Toys R Us closing its doors? You’re not alone in this; Jobcase is here to help.

Our Toys R Us Alumni group is a place to unite, connect, ask questions, strategize, and get support. And be sure to spread the word to your co-workers – there is strength in numbers.

Every week, Jobcase will post helpful information from our “Toys R Us Toolkit” to help you plan and prepare for what’s ahead. Watch for a new part this Friday.

Head over to the group and join the conversation today.

She was working at Toys R Us for like 5 years as a stocker so she was pretty sad when it closed. We all take job security for granted until it's gone. She applied to Target, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, even Mc Donalds but ended up getting a job at Amazon with pretty good pay too. She starts soon and I am excited for her. Don't ever give up!!! Good things are coming for you.

I would love to hear some stories! I loved my job, but during my time there I had some doozies! Some parents would sort of forget that their kids were in a store. It's like we became the babysitters or somethin. Well one time this kid was bouncing this ball pretty darn hard. I am watching it climb higher and higher and getting more and more nervous. I ask him to bounce the ball a little nicer and he reacts by slamming it even harder. Well it goes all the way up and smacks the light and the bulb shatters everywhere. The kid cried but he was ok, but I ended up with some stitches that day. Make sure to watch your kids ladies and gents!

#toysrus #toysrusmemories #tributetotoys

Who doesn’t remember the Toys ‘R’ Us kid jingle? “I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid!” It’s up there with the Oscar Meyer weiner song...practically ingrained in our subconscious.

We all have memories of running up and down the aisles of the iconic toy store as a child – and maybe as a parent, too – brimming with excitement and joy. I have a memory of feeling astounded by the immense height of the toy shelves, in awe of how they seemed to pierce the clouds and continue upwards endlessly.

I was once a Toys ‘R’ Us kid. Were you?

Every Saturday morning, bright and early at 9:00 (we opened at 9:30), there was this one toy collector who would drive up, take the closest parking spot (which ended up being an expectant mom's spot), and would wait until we opened. Then he would rush in and grab as many things as he could get his hands on. He openly admitted to us that he just bought this stuff to collect, then eventually sell on Ebay for a higher price. It got to the point where he grabbed a hard to find doll in front of this little girl and her mom who wanted it, and told them, TOO bad that's life! The little girl had tears and I wanted to deck this man, but I knew he hadn't technically done anything wrong other than being ungentlemanly.

From that moment on I ended up taking some of the rarer items every morning once we unloaded the truck and stashing them away until he came and left so parents could buy them for their children. We also told him if he wanted to ever park his car in that parking space again he had better be pregnant.

Geez I really will miss it there.

#toysrus #tributetotoys

A step-by-step plan to help you keep calm and prepare yourself to move on.

As Toys R Us closes its doors, it’s hard to know what to do next. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help Toys R Us employees get through this time of uncertainty. Starting today, we’ll share our kit of Next Steps tips & tools to help you plan and prepare for what’s ahead. Watch for a new part every Friday for the next few weeks.

The Toys R Us Next Steps Kit will include information from what to do about health insurance and 401(k)s to filing for unemployment. We’ll provide insight from building a new resume and online profile, to great ways to improve your job search. And you can always count on the Jobcase community to be with you every step of the way. Be sure to check back each week to learn from the Next Steps Kit and lean on all of us here on Jobcase when you need it most.

#toysrus #tributetotoys

Last week, Toys R Us announced its decision to close its doors. Our hearts go out to the current employees, as the company has yet to disclose the details. Right now, questions about severance, healthcare, and unemployment are swirling, and current employees are understandably frustrated, confused, and fearful for their futures.

That’s where we come in. So many of us can relate to how Toys R Us employees are feeling right now, because we’ve been there. We’ve started the Toys R Us Alumni group as a way to rally and support these employees by doing what Jobcasers do best: share your experiences, offer support and praise, and help kickstart their job search in any way.

Know someone who works at Toys R Us? Invite them to join the group, too! Each week, Jobcase will also be posting a special Next Steps kit of tools & tips created just for Toys R Us employees to help plan and prepare in the weeks ahead.

People helping people. It’s what the Jobcase community does every day with kind words, encouragement, and practical advice.

Companies close, it’s a hard and sad truth. My friend Sarah's mother devoted 15 YEARS of her life to working for the same dental office. Then one day it was bought out by another company and she suddenly found herself without a job. No matter what the case is don’t hit that panic button! Take some deep breaths and check out these tips on what to do next.

1- Take care of YOU Your health is important so don’t go without health coverage! Speak to your former employer about extending your health insurance benefit for up to 18 months under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) if it's available. You have 60 days after your coverage lapses to opt-in or start shopping for your own policy on https://www.healthcare.gov/ Your new employment status allows for you to actively enroll even if it's not open enrollment time.

2- Apply for unemployment benefits To receive unemployment benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment program in the state where you worked as soon as possible. Don't delay because this process can take awhile! The government-sponsored site, [CareerOneStop] (https://www.careeronestop.org/), has details on unemployment benefits in each state. You also can do a quick Google search to find your local Department of Labor and unemployment office and apply there.

3- Revisit your budget There’s no way of knowing how long you will be unemployed and because your income is now significantly less it's important to plan for the future. Revisit your accounts and see where you stand. Cut down on your expenses to only what is necessary for the time being. Put together a list of all the bills you currently pay such as car payments, student loans, rent, mortgage, groceries, etc. that are non-negotiable. Anything that isn’t essential cancel it for now and focus on the more important bills.

4- Stay in touch Don’t be afraid to connect NOW with your coworkers/managers! Ask them for their contact information and if they would consider being a reference. Stick to anyone you worked closely with who can attest to your skills on the job. If they ask you, offer them the same courtesy.

5- Be positive Right now is a difficult time but remaining positive will help see you through this! Surround yourself with loved ones who will support and guide you. Stay strong and look to the future. As the saying goes, "This too shall pass."

6- Apply It goes without saying that once you lose a job you need to replace it with another. So revamp that resume! Be sure to add any new skills and experiences you gained over your employment. Then when you are ready, search and apply to jobs in your area [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/jobs/search).

Wishing you the best during this difficult time, stay strong!

My mom has worked for toys r us for like 15 years and now she is jobless. Not sure what to do. She and my dad talk about bills a lot and late last night I heard her tell my dad that we might have to move. :*( What should my mom start doing? How can I help her??? Please.

My little girl was SO proud that her papa worked for a toy store. I would bring her home all the newest dolls and puzzles we got in. She really loves those. I am looking for work since Toys R Us closed, but I feel like a failure. My family really counts on the money I take home! I was doing good the last year there too. Now I can't look my daughter in the eyes.