The Florida-based grocery chain, Publix, announced it is planning to hire 30,000 employees for its stores, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities before the end of the year.
“As we continue to grow, having a dedicated team ready to meet our needs is vitally important,” said Publix Vice President of Human Resources Marcy Benton in a press release. “Whether associates are new to the workforce or making a career change, Publix provides great benefits and a strong culture in which its associates build long, fulfilling careers.”
According to the press release, Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the United States and will be encouraging its new employees to get vaccinated against COVID with a $125 Publix gift card.
The employees will also be eligible for stock purchasing plans and tuition reimbursement plans.
“At Publix, the largest employee-owned grocery retailer in the country, associates have a unique opportunity to become company owners through its employee stock ownership plan and employee stock purchase plan,” according to the press release. “Associates are supported in furthering their education with tuition reimbursement benefits, and they are encouraged to prepare for opportunities to advance their careers with the company.”
The announcement comes as the United States is continuing to endure its national labor shortage.
The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) released its Small Business Optimism Index Report for August 2021 and found nearly 50 percent of American small business owners have job openings that have not been filled.
The NFIB Florida State Director said back in May the national labor shortage, including Florida’s businesses, is becoming a true “crisis.”
“It’s becoming a true, genuine crisis, putting the small business owner in the worst of circumstances where they feel like they have to turn away customers” because they don’t have enough workers, said Bill Herrle, NFIB Florida State Director.
Last week, NFIB Florida also said the recent minimum wage hike that went into effect in Florida, could have devastating consequences for the Florida businesses already struggling to fill positions and make it through a struggling economy.
“Raising the starting wage will increase the financial pressure on small businesses that are struggling to get through the pandemic and could end up hurting workers as employers simply try to get by with fewer workers to offset the overall increase in labor costs,” said Herrle.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Publix” by Keith C. CC BY-SA 2.0.
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