Macy’s is looking to fill thousands of job openings across its stores. So to fill the void, the company is asking corporate staff to lend a hand on the sales floors.
The Washington Post reported a head office memo was sent that asked corporate workers to fold clothes, clear dressing rooms and help restock shelves.
The program is called “Experience Elevation Elves.”
Last week it announced an initiative to hire 76,000 people across its brands, including Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury stores. It is also looking to fill jobs in call centers and warehouses before the holidays begin. To do so, Macy’s raised its starting pay to $15 an hour and is offering free college tuition.
About 48,000 of the jobs were for the holiday time period, Business Insider reported.
In the memo sent to corporate employees, they’re being encouraged to volunteer for up to three 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shifts. If they do, they’re being reminded to wear “comfortable, close-toed shoes and business casual dress.”
This isn’t the first time corporate workers have been tapped to help out during busy times.
“Supporting our store colleagues is a great opportunity to build camaraderie with teammates and be part of making the holiday shopping experience for our customers special,” Karina Frayter, a Macy’s spokesperson, told the Post. “This also gives our corporate colleagues a valuable opportunity to interact and get direct feedback from customers.”
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. Pikachu™ & Eevee™ of The Pokemon Company International return to the Parade with a new balloon for its 25th anniversary! (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. Ada, the pint-sized scientist from the popular Netflix series Ada Twist, Scientist, sets off on her first Parade adventure this Thanksgiving. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
The balloons are getting prepared for Macy’s unveiling for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. Soaring into NYC is a Funko Pop! inspired Grogu™ (a.k.a. Baby Yoda in pop culture), from the beloved Star Wars™ series The Mandalorian™. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.)
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. The star of Macy’s holiday campaign, Tiptoe, is making her inaugural Parade appearance as a balloon puppet. With the help of puppeteers, her head bobs & legs move as this courageous reindeer prances through the streets of New York City encouraging spectators to believe in themselves. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
The balloons are getting prepared for Macy’s unveiling for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. In its Parade debut, showing everyone how to march to the beat this Thanksgiving is Toni, Macy’s very own bandleader bear. This beary big balloon was named for Parade pioneer Tony Sarg. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
Macy’s prepares to unveil the new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. The world’s most famous clown made by Ronald McDonald® returns to the Big Apple with a new look, this is his fifth design since he first joined the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1987! In this version, Ronald is sharing his heart with us at a time when we all need some extra love and smiles and inspiring spectators to, “see a smile, share a smile.” (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )
Macy’s unveils new giant character balloons for the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on November 13, 2021 in New York City. In its Parade debut, showing everyone how to march to the beat this Thanksgiving is Toni, Macy’s very own bandleader bear. This beary big balloon was named for Parade pioneer Tony Sarg. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc. )