[Kim918]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Isn't Publix employee owned? Hence, the name Publix? I heard that is was. When my daughter first moved here, she tried to get a job in Loss Prevention at Publix. She discovered that they have a coporate LP department, from Directors to Managers, etc. A friend of hers is an Asst. Manager at a Stop N Shop supermarket in NY. The salaries they pay for these Asst. and Manager positions was amazing ($60,000 to $110,000 to start). Maybe they don't pay the clerks much, but management, and LP is considered management, does.

Here in Naples I have found that they cater to snowbirds and Hispanics. There are a lot of products from around the country (mostly MidWest brands), besides a very big section of "very strange" looking Mexican food.

We also have a HUGE Walmart Supermarket --- just food. Unbelieveable how cheap they are. It's very clean and they also have a huge selection. Milk is under $3/gallon and I just bought a family size box of Post Raisin Bran for $2.94.

We also have Sweetbay, Whole Foods Fresh Market, and a couple of others I cannot think of right now.

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Moderator cut: off topic

Back to Publix...

I've heard that advancement is horrible in Publix. When I worked there they hired full time and I was hired full time but at the time, I didn't want to conform to their rules of no facial hair, no long hair, shirt tucked in, slacks ( no jeans ) ect, ect.. To me, that wasn't worth $6.50/hr.

Now, They only hire starting at 20-25 hours a week and the store closest to me said that everyone starts off bagging but I don't know if I believe that. I don't see how someone could work at Publix for 30 years unless they were management or their family didn't depend on their income to survive. To be honest, having stock in a company is nice but with the way the stock market has gone, It's not a huge drawing card to me.

TANaples,

The name "Publix" came from the movie theater that George Jenkins purchased to turn into the 1st grocery store we know today. He could not afford to change the sign so he left it and "Publix Supermarkets, Inc." was born.

TNRyan,

I don't know where you heard they are terrible about advancement, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. There has to be someone at all times in every department working towards management. It is not only encouraged, but actively recruited by department managers at all times. You have to remember that there are only so many openings for management positions. Most people don't leave those positions. They pay just like TANaples said they do. The benefits are unbeatable as well. Health insurance, dental, vision and free life insurance. 401k with company match. A free share of stock for every $300 you earn. Paid vacations up to 4 weeks, depending on time with the company. Up to 2 weeks pay for christmas bonus, paid holidays and quartely bonus's for all associates.

I understand what you say about the stock market, but Publix is employee owned and operated, stock is only available to employees and their families. It is not on the open market and has never suffered the fluctuations of the open market. Publix is a debt free company. They pay for their stores in cash. No loans. How many companies can say this? They are fiscally responsible and give back to the communities in which they operate.

They have begun to hire part-time "only" now due to the economy. That is the responsible thing to do, to keep their current employees working. No lay-offs. Publix has never laid anyone off ever. They will cut hours for part-timers if business warrants it. Unfortunate, but it is better than closing stores and laying people off like many other businesses are now doing.

You may not have wanted to conform to their policies, that is a personal decision on your part. Publix has high standards when it comes to their employees looking clean and neat and there is nothing wrong with that. It is a choice you make if you want to work there or not. As far as hourly wage goes, here in TN, it is less than FL and top pay depends on job class title. Fulltime cashiers, stockers, bakers, decorators, produce, deli top out anywhere from $13.50 to $14.00 an hour in TN. More in FL.
That really isn't too bad for non-management positions when you receive so many benefits that don't really cost the associate all that much. Retirement for long term associates is a lot of money even if you don't contribute one dime yourself. There are people who walk away quite well off after 20 years or more. Some are millionaires due to the stock they own. There is also a lot to be said for job stability. I don't know of anyone in Publix worried about losing their jobs.

[RiWrites]

I don't know where people get their info that Publix is a bad place to work. I know people who jump at getting a job there. In one year a friend of mine went from being a bagger to a cashier, to working in a department. She is part time but that is what she was looking for. After you are hired at Publix, she told me you can apply for a corporate job. She also every three months or so gets an inventory bonus which is equivalent to a weeks pay. How many companies nowadays does this? At Christmas time she gets something too. They treat their employees very well.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by RiWrites

I don't know where people get their info that Publix is a bad place to work. I know people who jump at getting a job there. In one year a friend of mine went from being a bagger to a cashier, to working in a department. She is part time but that is what she was looking for. After you are hired at Publix, she told me you can apply for a corporate job. She also every three months or so gets an inventory bonus which is equivalent to a weeks pay. How many companies nowadays does this? At Christmas time she gets something too. They treat their employees very well.

I agree, I have known many people and friends who have worked at various Publix stores, they all love it, and all say they got great pay and were treated fairly.

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by RiWrites

I don't know where people get their info that Publix is a bad place to work. I know people who jump at getting a job there. In one year a friend of mine went from being a bagger to a cashier, to working in a department. She is part time but that is what she was looking for. After you are hired at Publix, she told me you can apply for a corporate job. She also every three months or so gets an inventory bonus which is equivalent to a weeks pay. How many companies nowadays does this? At Christmas time she gets something too. They treat their employees very well.

I think it comes from a few things.... Poeple like to look down their nose at all retail jobs and those who don't think they should have to actually "earn their money" you do have to work hard in grocery. It has never been a easy job. Most jobs in retail grocery are pretty physically demanding. Then there are those who simply have no idea what Publix is all about.

[Debb J]

Originally Posted by Kim918

Then there are those who simply have no idea what Publix is all about.

They really don't.

PUBLIX isn't just retail stores. In Lakeland (company headquarters) there is the *BIG* manufacturing complex, cafeteria for employees, daycare center, area that maintains the fleet of trucks, printing department, corporate center (known as Emerald City), warehouses, company credit union and on and on an on.

Some professions that might not occur to people that are employed by PUBLIX are as follows: real estate agents, florists, engineers of all kinds, machinists, day care workers, accountants, attorneys, chefs, bakers, bank tellers, chemists, photographers, graphic artists and filmmakers.

Then there are the professions most recognized in the grocery business: office personnel, truck drivers, cashiers, baggers, custodians, forklift operators, stockers etc. Anyway, PUBLIX employs roughly 130,000 people.

[RiWrites]

When I worked in retail, a young man asked for an application. His dad handed it back to me and told his son only losers work retail. Well I am not a loser and neither are the others who work retail.

You are right working grocery retail is a physically demanding job. It is sad to say but most people just want the paycheck forget about doing any work for it.

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by Debb J

They really don't.

PUBLIX isn't just retail stores. In Lakeland (company headquarters) there is the *BIG* manufacturing complex, cafeteria for employees, daycare center, area that maintains the fleet of trucks, printing department, corporate center (known as Emerald City), warehouses, company credit union and on and on an on.

Some professions that might not occur to people that are employed by PUBLIX are as follows: real estate agents, florists, engineers of all kinds, machinists, day care workers, accountants, attorneys, chefs, bakers, bank tellers, chemists, photographers, graphic artists and filmmakers.

Then there are the professions most recognized in the grocery business: office personnel, truck drivers, cashiers, baggers, custodians, forklift operators, stockers etc. Anyway, PUBLIX employs roughly 130,000 people.

Good Post Debb!

I bet many people don't know that at all the warehouses the associates are fed everyday for free. They eat a good cooked lunch too. Hot food as well as salad bar, bread, rolls, coffee, and juices. As much as they can eat. That is given to them in place of not receiving a quartely bonus that the associates at the retail level receive.

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by RiWrites

When I worked in retail, a young man asked for an application. His dad handed it back to me and told his son only losers work retail. Well I am not a loser and neither are the others who work retail.

You are right working grocery retail is a physically demanding job. It is sad to say but most people just want the paycheck forget about doing any work for it.

That is true in so many jobs these days RiWrites. No one has a sense of pride in their work anymore in many occupations. Just do what you have to do to get a paycheck at the end of the week. At least, the culture at Publix is that the store is employee owned so you actually feel a part of things and what you or don't do does directly affect your bonus and the bottom line of the company as a whole.

[Gatornation]

We buy as much greenwise stuff as we can and get local organic produce. Publix greenwise stuff is cheaper compared to when we were able to shop at Whole Foods.

Rumor has it they are opening a Greenwise in Gainesville so that will be interesting.

[ddlove01]

Originally Posted by RiWrites

When I worked in retail, a young man asked for an application. His dad handed it back to me and told his son only losers work retail. Well I am not a loser and neither are the others who work retail.

You are right working grocery retail is a physically demanding job. It is sad to say but most people just want the paycheck forget about doing any work for it.

Wow, what a jerk...some ppl have no manners!