Horrible experience working at the store level PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Produce Clerk Publix Employee Review

1.0
Sep 3, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The only thing they have going for them is their stock purchasing options/ health care options for younger people. Long hours and little pay, (but great stock options!!!!)

Cons

I started off part-time making $9 an hour as a produce clerk with a bachelors degree in business admin. I worked 8-10 weeks straight of 35 hours + and I'm pretty sure they broke some labor laws. I eventually earned my way to full time roughly six months after starting there. (It takes a lot of people several years to earn full time). I held my full-time position for about 5 months until I decided I wanted to pursue my Masters degree. The store manager and produce managers told me school was a waste of time and you should work here because we make so much money (They have been working there over 10 years and that doesn't guarantee you anything.) I worked with a great guy in produce and he was going for management. He passed the tests several times and was denied because of politics. The managers talked about him behind his back and said he was stupid and never going to make it and then they would praise him with all the good work he does. Big stick and little carrot they dangle over you everyday!!!! An assistant produce manager makes only $38,000 a year and it will take you about 2 or 3 years from the time you start until you may or may not be selected for this position. I also hurt myself on the job and the store manager accused me of lying because he said, "I did not like my 3 A.M. shifts." I was the only one in charge of breaking down the trucks with 10-12 pallets by myself for almost two months straight at 3 A.M. They do not schedule enough people nor do they give you adequate support. They work you long hours with heavy lifting and pay you little money. Managers do not care about you and they will work you like a horse to get what they want. There are no values in the store level that they talk about in orientation. The mission statement is bogus and I want everyone to read it and think about it when they use the word "World" They cannot be the best in the world if they don't compete globally.

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4.0
Jul 7, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good compensation including not just standard pay, but also end of year bonus 80 hours for hourly associates, 8% of your annual earnings granted to you in free company stock thru which quarterly dividends are paid, ok 401k, and gift card and other associate coupons. Good stability and growth. Good company culture.

Cons

Can be slow and resistant to change. Uses some antiquated systems and software that should have been replaced years ago. Does some things that don't make sense. Some managers can be good, while others not very good. Although these cons may be true for a lot of companies. All roads eventually lead to Lakeland where they are headquartered. Geography can be a big one if you are not a Florida native. If you don't want to live in Florida for some legitimate reasons, there can be limited job options in other states, especially if you aren't interested in retail or warehouse jobs. Standard retail negatives about not having a lot of holidays off.

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