We challenged you to tell us what makes Publix a great place to work, and you did just that. We received stories, videos, pictures and even a recorded poem sharing what makes Publix unique. You may even spot a few people you know!
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Produce Technical Coordinator Colin McKay
Produce RBU
In 1996 — when I made the decision to go full-time with Publix as a produce clerk — I did not realize it, but I was being mentored by Store Manager Roy Rogers. It seemed like every time I turned around he was there to point out something I did wrong or what I thought was some minor detail. Before the Registration of Interest process began, in order for you to be considered for a promotion, you needed the recommendation of the store manager and produce manager.
One day, Roy came up to me while I was working in the department and said, “I have always held you to a higher standard because I know you are going to have a very big future here, and you’re going to go as far as you want to. He then told me that I earned his recommendation and he knew that one day I would make him proud.
He told me that I really should buy some dress shirts and ties to help show that I was motivated and eager to be promoted. I told him I really didn’t have any extra money because the majority of my paycheck helped pay for the bills around the house. He knew that my father had fallen ill with cancer and that my mom was at home caring for him. A few days later, he came up to me and asked for my car keys. I gave them to him and he walked away. Later, he gave them back to me and said, “If you ever tell anyone about this I will deny it.”
That evening, I saw he had put two large bags of dress shirts and ties in my car. He told me he needed an excuse to go out and buy new clothes. A few months later, I was promoted to assistant produce manager, and he told me that he was very proud of me and not to disappoint him. To this day, I remember what he did for me and to this day, I hope I have made him proud.
Assistant Store Manager Mike O’Brien
Store #1416, Knoxville, Tennessee
I relocated to Tennessee with my wife shortly after our marriage in 2012 to start a new chapter of our lives and continue on my career path with Publix. Before moving, I worked in the Lakeland Division for District Manager Patrick Helm as a customer service manager. I remember when Patrick was promoted, he shared a story about getting to meet [former] Vice President of Public Affairs Clayton Hollis. He said it was one of the high points of being promoted to district manager — getting to spend quality time with him. Clayton was certainly an ambassador of culture, with his father having been a former president of Publix, his grandfather a former vice president and he himself having worked within many facets of our company. Imagine everything he got to experience growing up with the levels of leadership he had in his life.
Patrick shared how amazing it was to get to learn some of those things from him, and during his story — it hit me. With Clayton’s pending retirement, I would never get that time with him — should I make it to district manager one day.
I asked Patrick if it would be acceptable to reach out to Clayton and ask to meet him. After all, I was moving off to Knoxville Tennessee to open our 2nd store in the market. I thought I could use a good dose of culture to take with me to carry on the Publix spirit to new associates.
I reached out to Clayton and he graciously agreed to meet. We set a date and time, and in the week that our meeting approached, sadness struck and Clayton’s father passed away after his battle with cancer.
After getting a call that our meeting would be cancelled, I never imagined that it would be rescheduled. In dealing with a difficult personal situation and being weeks away from retirement — I expected that our meeting was understandably not going to happen. There were much more important things to attend to.
After the weekend, I received a call from his secretary that we would meet that week. I was speechless.When I attended the meeting, I met a man that encompassed the heart and soul of what it meant to have a servant’s mentality. He impressed upon me the sense of being there for our associates. It meant just as much for him to keep the meeting as it did for me to have it. We talked about everything from the old days up to the present. We walked the offices, he showed me historical items from across the decades and he even invited me to tour the ice cream plant with him! What an experience.
After our morning together, he offered me his personal email address so that we could keep in touch after my move and his retirement. It impressed me so much that he was willing to invest in me even after leaving his position and communicate on his much deserved personal time in retirement! We’ve kept in touch over the years. I got to share the celebration of my promotion to assistant store manager with him, he’s offered encouraging words when I worked towards a corporate position and I shared the news of my 1st child being born!
This all wraps up into what I believe makes Publix a great place to work! We have a saying, “Be Mr. George to someone”. There are likely very few companies out there that a management level associate can reach out to a vice president and have them follow through like Clayton did for me. Look at how Mr. George was treated when he traveled to Atlanta when he worked for Piggly Wiggly as a store manager.
Mr. George founded this company with that in mind. His intentions were to create an environment where associates could feel comfortable, where the janitor is treated with the same respect as the CEO and opportunity to advance was based on the individual deciding just how far they wanted to go.
This is why Publix is such a great place to work.
Assistant Store Manager Cindy Hope
Store 1489, Savannah, Georgia
Good Afternoon,
I may not have pictures or video of why I believe we have a great place to work, because what we have comes from the heart. You cannot show love and support with video or artwork. You can only show it from a smile and feeling. If you could show my heart it would be over flowing with strength and compassion from this great company — mainly fellow associates that I am proud to know for more than 30 years now.
Last year was a terrible time for me, as I was diagnosed with a tumor in my lung. Not having family near me, I relied on co-workers strength and understanding as I went through numerous testings and would have to leave work to have them done in a moment’s notice at times. I had several times when I just could not handle the news and pressure of what was to come next, and my store manager at the time said, “Why didn’t you call me at home?” I never expected for him to want to listen to someone who was in tears from fear. The next week to follow I endured a 8.5 hour surgery to have a big portion of my lung removed. The team at 1186 called, text and came by with cards and a care package for myself and family who traveled out of town.
I was out of work for five weeks, and never once did I worry about a paycheck thanks to the benefits that our great company offers.
When I returned to work at #1489, Savannah, Georgia, I was less than 65 percent , but again I had a great store manager who was understanding and listened to me. In months to follow, I had complications, and most recently I was again faced with a few trips to the emergency room. My co-workers covered for me when the pain was so unbearable that I had to take a leave during the holidays. They sent messages of prayer and concern and said don’t worry about here, just get better. Store Manager Chris Scales has been more than accommodating and never once, batted an eye when I called to say I cannot make it. The only thing he told me every time “What can I do for you?” or “What do you need?”
This email cannot show or illustrate what compassion is, but our fellow associates have it even when it means that they have to pick up the slack .
This right here is why I have worked for Publix since 1985.
Thanks.
