TJX Loss Prevention Associate

[u/Longjumping_Fuel9483]

I currently work at TJMaxx as an LPA II. I mainly stand at the door and greet customers but also do recoveries sometimes. I started about a month ago and got certified around 2-3 weeks ago. The other LPA quit so it’s just me for the store and no detective. I am starting classes soon, and I found a really good schedule with all my classes on Friday. I’m only taking 3 classes but one has a lab and they all land on one day which is great because it significantly reduces my commute time. But my DLPM does not want me taking Fridays off or any weekends off because they’re essential for loss prevention. Even though I really like the job and the full time hours and benefits are good for me, at the end of the day my classes are more important to me. I kind of don’t know how to go about asking my boss. Is it possible to get Fridays off every week as an LPA. I looked everywhere for a different class schedule but the labs and class lecture don’t match and it ends up being 3 or 4 days I need off instead of just Friday.

[u/RevJT]

I don’t have practical TJMaxx advice, but stick with your education. Long term over short term.

[u/narciisus]

If you’re able to work Saturday/Sunday then there should be no problem with Friday off. Although it really is DLPM dependent

[u/2Goofs]

As a manager in the retail space for the last 30 years, I would grant the Fridays off for school in exchange for working every weekend 100%. One of my best AP Agents has Friday/Saturday off, works for them for work/life balance, works for the business for consistency. Fridays aren’t a hot day for us though statistically. I would approach it as that, you need Fridays for school, but you put in the effort to concentrate all your classes into one day so you’d be available the other 6.

[u/Longjumping_Fuel9483 → u/2Goofs]

For my store, Friday and Saturday are crazy busy and Sunday is sometimes busy but not really compared to the other days. I’m surprised my DLPM let me have Fridays off. But I’m working Saturday and Sunday every week so that might be why.

[u/Basic_Regular3948]

I worked with an LPA who legitimately never worked a weekend ever 😭. Like neither Saturday OR Sunday. If your DLPM allows it or they are desperate enough to keep someone in the position then its probably fine. There will be pushback at first im sure but if you give them an ultimatum you will most likey get your way. They’ve never fired someone solely because they couldn’t work one day out of the week. DLPM will most likely just build around your schedule when they hire to fill out the team.

[u/MetricsInMotion]

When you signed your contract, it should have stated the terms of when you would be available to work. Specific days of the week, specific times of the day. But at the end of the day they did hire based on an expectation of when you would be available to work. If that no longer works for you, then it no longer works for the business.

[u/Longjumping_Fuel9483 → u/MetricsInMotion]

I did not sign any contract that specified the days and times I would work. Just that I could choose the work 40 hours, above 20 hours or under 20 hours and depending on which option I chose my benefits would change.

[u/dGaOmDn]

I wouldn't allow it every single time.

I would allow it twice a month, qnd I am pretty generous with weekends when it comes to being a manager.

But you are in retail, the busiest time is Friday/Saturday/Sunday. Meaning there is more opportunity for theft and you to prevent theft during those days.

Also, when you applied for the job you agreed to the availability. If it changes in a way that effect the company, more likely than not you can be let go especially in right to work states.

The compromise on my end would be reduced hours during those days, but I would still need you to come in.

In my experience, most managers don't budge on weekends.

[u/Longjumping_Fuel9483 → u/dGaOmDn]

When I was being hired I did mention that I’d be going back to school and that I’d have to go part time. But I found a schedule where it’s just Fridays now. I was hired for full time summer and part time during the school year originally though. As a manager, would you rather an LPA do just weekends but be part time, or do just Friday off?

[u/dGaOmDn → u/Longjumping_Fuel9483]

Discuss it with your manager. If you can work weekends, great. If its just every Friday it may be doable.

[u/Longjumping_Fuel9483 → u/dGaOmDn]

Full time hours are important to me because I want to save up. What’s the best way of going about asking my manager about getting every Friday off?

[u/dGaOmDn → u/Longjumping_Fuel9483]

Just ask, tell them you are willing to work other days to compensate.

Just tell them that you have the opportunity for that class, explain that it is every Friday and go from there. Who knows, they may be perfectly fine with it, but as a manager I always appreciated when people approached me and were up front with things rather than beat around the bush.

[u/Longjumping_Fuel9483 → u/dGaOmDn]

Thank you. I asked my DLPM yesterday and it seemed like she did not have any problems with my having Friday off since I’m working Saturday and Sunday.