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Trader Joe

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Case Study 1 - Trader Joe’s
Patrice Coleman
BUS520 – Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Instructor: Dr. Anthony Muscia
January 11, 2015

1.
Examine the approach Trader Joe’s uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. Trader Joe’s is able to increase job satisfaction and performance in the following ways. I. Compensation
Trader Joe’s offers new employees a generous compensation package inclusive of above market wages, retirement contributions, medical benefits, dental vacation, paid vacation time and a 10% discount. The competitive wages offered to part-time and full-time employees alike makes Trader Joe’s one of the highest paying employers in the retail grocery store industry, with part-time employees earning close to 20k annually, full time employees earning between 40k to 60 annually and store managers average compensation over six figures. “According to Glassdoor, the average Trader Joe’s crew member earns $13.20 an hour. Pay starts at around $9, but raise opportunities come often, and employees have the opportunity to earn a $2 per hour raise every year.” (Mazzoni, 2014) II. Collaborative Environment
The overall work environment at Trader Joe Markets is very informal with employees donning Hawaiian Shirts as part of their work uniform, and a smile as they greet and engage customers to enhance their overall shopping experience. Daily tasks are routinely shared amongst all staff, and it is not uncommon to see store managers stocking shelves, and/or ringing up a customers. "You get paid well, go to work in a Hawaiian shirt, eat good food, and talk to people. This is all part of that unique culture that the chain has cultivated," says Sandy Skrovan, vice president of Retail Forward, a retail consultant based in Columbus, Ohio. (Lewis, 2005).

III. Career Advancement
Trader Joe’s fosters a work environment

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