Publix is a Fortune 500 retail company headquartered in Lakeland, Florida.
The organization, which was founded in 1930, has grown to be one of the largest-volume supermarket chains in the United States.
The company employs over 240,000 workers across the Southeast, including stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.
In addition to its 1,335 stores, Publix also has 10 distribution centers and 10 manufacturing facilities.
As the largest supermarket chain in the Southeast, Publix is committed to making positive changes in its community.
Upper management understands that this starts with its employees.
The organization has worked to ensure its workforce is empowered through diversity and inclusion, and that each individual has a voice.
This, coupled with the fact that every Publix employee has ownership in the company, has helped keep employee turnover very low.
In fact, most employees remain with the company for at least 5 years.
This is well below the national average of 3.8 years.
If you’re considering a career with Publix, it’s important that you weigh the pros and cons.
Past and current employee reviews can provide invaluable insight into the workplace culture, the best departments to apply for, career advancement opportunities, and more.
Read on to find out why Publix consistently makes Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, along with dozens of other awards and accolades.
Table of Contents
Pros of Working at Publix
1. Diverse and Inclusive Workforce
While competitive pay and employee benefits and perks are essential for attracting the right talent, Publix understands its employees need more out of the workplace.
To help ensure employee retention, the organization has worked hard to create a positive and diverse workplace culture.
Publix’s upper management recognizes that a diverse workforce outperforms, increasing revenues by as much as 19%.
It’s also an influencing factor among job seekers.
As a result, the organization maintains a diverse and well-balanced workforce.
49.5% of its employees are female and 42.2% of its workforce are ethnic minorities.
Publix’s workforce is also politically-balanced, with an almost 50/50 split between Republican and Democrat employees.
The organization’s efforts have paid off, as employee turnover is very low.
In fact, over 20,000 of the company’s 240,000 employees have worked for the company for 15 years or more.
2. Competitive Compensation
As a leader in the retail industry, Publix values its workforce and recognizes their contribution to the success of the company.
Most positions with the Fortune 500 company offer competitive compensation.
Pay is determined by a number of factors, including experience, location, job description, and performance.
While the pay for some positions falls below the national average, most positions pay 3-18% higher than the national average.
In addition to competitive salaries, Publix employees receive:
- Annual holiday bonuses
- Paid vacation time
- Bereavement and jury duty pay
- Hourly employees are paid weekly
- Paid parental leave
- Holiday pay for six major holidays
- Holiday exchange
3. Employee Benefits Package
Recognizing that a happy workforce is up to 20% more productive, Publix chooses to invest in every employee from their first day on the job.
As a result, its employees feel more invested in the organization and its long-term success.
One of the most valuable ways Publix invests in its workforce is through its benefits package, which includes the following:
- Employee stock options, with the option to purchase additional shares
- Competitive 401k matching
- Group insurance benefits, including options for health, vision, and dental insurance
- Publix-paid life insurance, including accidental death and dismemberment coverage
- Long-term disability insurance
- Access to telehealth benefits and low-cost prescriptions
- Free annual flu shots
- Membership to Publix Credit Union
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Service awards
4. Mentor and Professional Development Program
As part of their employee retention efforts, Publix has created a professional development program.
From day one, employees receive structured and thorough training.
Once you’re trained in the department you’ll be working in, you’ll also have 24/7 access to a reference library and receive targeted training throughout the year.
Your management team is also there to support you with any questions or concerns you might have.
In support of its promote-from-within philosophy, Publix has also created a professional development program. This includes:
- Formal mentor program
- Leadership development
- Operational and Technical training program
- Personal growth and development education through a library of CDs, books, and videos
With the support of Publix’s professional and personal development program, employees have access to everything they need to expand their skill set and move up in the organization.
Each individual is celebrated for their achievements and held accountable for their actions, motivating them to strive for something higher.
5. Dedication to Making a Positive Impact on the Community
Recent reports indicate that over 70% of today’s workers want to work for an organization that gives back to the community and supports their volunteer efforts.
Recognizing its employees’ need to be a part of something important, Publix has created a Publix Serves Day and a Publix Serves Week.
In Publix Serves Week 2023, over 6,000 volunteers from the Publix workforce dedicated over 36,000 hours to their communities.
This year’s focus was on environmental sustainability, so volunteers spent their time cleaning up neighborhoods and beaches and planting trees.
Committed to supporting the communities they serve, Publix also supports a variety of programs, with a focus on our youth.
The programs Publix Charities supports include:
- Camp Boggy Creek
- Special Olympics
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Scout programs
- March of Dimes
- Tools for Back to School
- Alleviating Hunger
- Feeding More Together
- United Way
- Feeding America®
- Children’s Miracle Network
6. Flexible Work Schedule
As a Publix employee, you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings and scheduling flexibility.
While store employees are the face of the company, Publix also has corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses.
Employees are hired at either full or part-time status, and most positions have several shift options available.
This flexibility in scheduling is perfect for students, employees with families, and for workers who are working their way through the professional development program.
7. Publix Employee Discount Program
While Publix employees do not receive a store discount for groceries and services, they do have access to the Publix Employee Discount Program.
Through this program, employees can find deals on everything from electronics to theme parks, vehicles, and movie tickets.
With over 200 vendors to choose from, employees can save 20-25% on their annual budgets.
Cons of Working at Publix
1. Corporate Structure
Depending upon your long-term professional goals, the corporate structure of Publix may be a pro or a con.
Some employees state that they felt they were expected to “live, eat, and breath” the corporate philosophy.
This might be overwhelming for employees who don’t have long-term goals with the company.
Other cons to working for a corporate entity are increased bureaucracy and a slower decision-making process.
2. Limited Professional Growth Opportunities
While the organization has a promote-from-within philosophy and an extensive professional development program, some employees have complained that the professional growth opportunities at Publix are limited.
While many professional opportunities are there, it can take time and lateral movement to make your way to the top.
If you’re looking for a long-term career with the organization, it’s recommended that you utilize the mentorship program.
This program can provide invaluable insight, guidance, and feedback that can help you climb the ranks.
3. Management Isn’t Always Supportive
While Publix has a large managerial force and an open-door policy, not all employees feel supported working for the industry leader.
Some of the retailer’s workers feel their managers are overwhelmed and overworked.
As a result, employee complaints aren’t always solved in a timely manner.
This can cause negative workforce morale and, ultimately, impact productivity.
4. Schedules Can Change From Week to Week
Most Publix employees love that the organization offers flexible scheduling.
While this flexibility is perfect for some workers, it can prove challenging for others.
Employees with families may need a more permanent schedule that they can rely on from week to week.
Additionally, some former employees have complained about their schedules being too erratic, making it difficult to make personal plans.
This feedback primarily comes from part-time employees.
If your situation requires a more reliable schedule, address this during the interview.
Most schedules can be accommodated.
5. Customer Interaction
Working in the retail industry requires regular interaction with customers.
While most employees enjoy working with consumers, there are times when this can prove challenging.
If the position you’re seeking requires you to interact with customers, it’s important to know that this won’t always be a positive experience.
Empathy and a positive attitude are must-have skills whenever you’re working in a customer service position.
Despite these challenging encounters, it can be very rewarding to know you’ve helped a customer solve a difficult problem.
6. Some Positions Pay Lower than National Average
Most jobs at Publix pay above the national average for comparable positions.
Some employees, however, report feeling that their compensation did not match their job responsibilities.
If you’re considering applying for a job with Publix, conduct thorough research ahead of your interview.
Knowledge of salaries for comparable positions and required skills and knowledge, coupled with your qualifications, could help you during salary negotiation.
7. Work Can Be Physically Demanding
Because Publix is a retail company, many positions can be physically demanding.
As a result, applicants should always read each job description thoroughly before applying for a position.
There are many positions at Publix that do not require any physical work.
14 Pros and Cons of Working for Publix – Summary Table
| Pros of Working at Publix | Cons of Working at Publix |
|---|---|
| 1. Diverse and Inclusive Workforce | 1. Corporate Structure |
| 2. Competitive Compensation | 2. Limited Professional Growth Opportunities |
| 3. Employee Benefits Package | 3. Management Isn’t Always Supportive |
| 4. Mentor and Professional Development Program | 4. Schedules Can Change From Week to Week |
| 5. Dedication to Making a Positive Impact on the Community | 5. Customer Interaction |
| 6. Flexible Work Schedule | 6. Some Positions Pay Lower than National Average |
| 7. Publix Employee Discount Program | 7. Work Can Be Physically Demanding |
Should You Work at Publix?
A thorough review of what employees have to say about working at Publix revealed that most of the organization’s employees are very satisfied with working with the supermarket giant.
In fact, 83% of those polled stated they would recommend working for the organization.
While compensation varies based on experience, position, and location, most employees earn well over the national average.
