For the 24th consecutive year, Lakeland, Florida-based Publix has been named one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, ranking No. 42. The company is one of only five to have made the list every year since its inception in 1998.
For the third consecutive year, the company has been recognized as one of Fortune’s Best Big Companies to Work For, ranking No. 11. This list debuted in 2019 and features only companies with more than 100,000 employees.
“For over 90 years, we’ve remained focused on serving our customers and communities and taking care of each other,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “Over the past year, our country has faced many challenges and much uncertainty, making the role of the supermarket more essential than ever. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our associates, we’re pleased to receive this prestigious recognition.”
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Publix continues to take care of its associates and the communities in which it operates. For example, Publix adjusted its store hours to better serve customers and give associates more time to restock product and conduct additional preventive sanitation and cleaning. To recognize associates for their commitment to providing premier service, Publix gift cards were issued several times. In addition, Publix enhanced its benefits to meet its associates’ needs during this time.
Despite the challenges of 2020, the company opened 39 stores and hired thousands of new associates in its stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers to meet increased demand due to the coronavirus. Publix encouraged individuals who had recently found themselves unexpectedly without work to apply.
And it became clear Publix needed to help its communities beyond offering employment opportunities. The company refocused its community efforts to help make the biggest impact it could to alleviate hunger in the communities it served.
According to Feeding America, early last year an estimated 17 million additional people were going to experience food insecurity due to school closures and rising unemployment during the pandemic. At the same time, Publix saw numerous reports of farmers discarding produce and milk that wasn’t being sold – mostly as a result of school, restaurant and hotel closures. So the company launched an initiative to bridge the gap, helping farmers and feeding those in need.
Through this program last year, Publix purchased more than 18 million pounds of produce and 500,000 gallons of milk and donated it to local Feeding America member food banks.
Survey methodology
These Fortune lists honor companies that supported their people and communities in the U.S. the most during the past year. Great Place to Work surveyed over half a million employees on issues including how trustworthy, caring and fair the company is in times of crisis, as well as employees’ physical, emotional and financial health and the company’s broader community impact.
Particular attention was paid to how employees’ experiences varied depending on their job role, gender, race/ethnicity and other characteristics to ensure that the company is creating a great workplace for all.
Sixty percent of each company’s score is based on confidential employee feedback. The remaining 40 percent is based on the programs each company said it created to support its people and communities in response to the pandemic. Companies need to employ at least 1,000 employees to be considered for the 100 Best Companies list and at least 100,000 employees globally to be considered for the Best Big Companies to Work For list.
Additional information is posted on Fortune’s website at fortune.com/best-companies.
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 225,000 associates, currently operates 1,270 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
