Despite bankruptcy, Toys R Us is hiring holiday helpers

Toys R Us says it is business as usual despite its bankruptcy filing, and it demonstrated that Thursday by issuing its annual call for part-time holiday workers. 

It is also offering a new job that lets you play with the toys. It has created toy demonstrator positions that will involve playing with toys in the stores and letting kids and parents play with them.

In previous years, Toys R Us has added about 40,000 seasonal workers around the country. This year, it didn't reveal the number in its hiring announcement, but according to documents filed in the bankruptcy case it plans to hire more than 38,000 holiday staffers. A Toys representative said total nationwide hiring will be comparable to last year's.

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In New Jersey, Toys R Us expects to hire about 1,800 part-time holiday workers, about 10 percent below the announced hiring for the state last year. 

Tight market

The job market for seasonal workers is expected to be tighter this fall due to the improved economy. Walmart, in a nod to the tighter job market, announced it would be increasing hours for part-time employees and giving full-timers more overtime to meet holiday demand, rather than bringing in an army of seasonal workers.

Target, Toys R Us' other top rival, is taking a different approach. It is boosting its holiday hiring by close to 25 percent and is planning to bring in 100,000 seasonal workers.

Toys R Us, based in Wayne, said it plans to offer flexible hours and varied shifts, as well as employee discounts to seasonal workers, in order to lure holiday employees.

Job seekers can apply online at toysrusinc.com.