Publix: Crisis Situations and Ethics
Publix is popular supermarket chain that is located in the southern region of the US and offers services in seven states, known as: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The company was founded in Winter Haven, Florida in 1930 by George W. Jenkins. Publix’ vision is to be “dedicated to customer service and community involvement and being a great place to work and shop.” Publix is known for providing exceptional customer service, a clean and well-organized store, BOGO (Buy one, get one free) deals, and delicious food. They also make Publix a wonderful place to work by offering their employees great benefits, yearly stock in the company, developed friendships with co-workers and diversity in the workforce, which are two of the most valuable things any company can offer.
Publix has a five-point mission statement that is a brief call to action to all Publix employees to make the company a “premier quality food retailer in the world through development of customer value, elimination of waste, promoting dignity and security of employees, stewardship for the stockholders, and acting as responsible members of society as a whole.” With that being said, Publix’ employees and social media department must adhere to core ethical standards and guide.
Core Ethical Standards:
1. Passionately focus on customer value and must deliver quality products and exceptional service at a fair price.
2. Provide customers with a safe shopping environment and report any safety concerns to a manager as soon as possible.
3. Must comply with laws, rules, and regulations and actions much be ethical, honest, and based on sound judgment.
Social Media Ethical Guide:
1. Employees should positively represent Publix’ brand and not disclose any confidential information regarding the company.
2. Employees should not bash users or competitors online in a negative manner.
3. Employees should demonstrate honestly in all aspects regarding Publix whether it being online or offline.
4. Employees should fail to partake in any vulgarity when upkeeping the company’s voice on social media platforms.
Publix recently made headlines for banning Black Lives Matter apparel after an 18-year-old employee quit after being told to not wear his Black Lives Matter mask at work. The manager allegedly told the former employee that he was putting his self and other employees in danger by wearing that type of mask. The current CEO of Publix, Todd Jones, released a statement to all employees stating that the company rejects racism and discrimination of any kind. Jones never offered any action items for the company to follow after that statement. Many argue that more concrete steps could have been made to make a long-term effort in racial justice.
Any decrease in sales or stock were reported, and Publix seemed to remain the same after the crisis. I hope that Publix learned their lesson when it came to a social crisis that contained such deep issue. It also makes me question how they would have responded on a lighter issue as well. From now on, I would to see more action be called to teach employees and prevent a crisis situation like that to occur again.
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