Wegmans, Nugget, Publix Again Rank on Fortune’s 100 Best Employers' List
Wegmans Food Markets, Nugget Markets and Publix Super Markets have once again ranked prominently on Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list.
Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans, which landed at No. 4 this year, has been included in the ranking every year since 1998. Wegmans was seventh on last year’s list.
“Employees are able write their own weekly schedule or take time off at the spur of the moment without question, simply by logging into the company’s online system,” Fortune notes. “Wegmans also promotes employee wellness with immunizations, yoga sessions, cooking classes and a Store Wellness Champion at each location, where a pharmacist does health screenings and cheers employees on as they make healthy changes.”
Woodland, Calif.-based Nugget Markets, at No. 13, showed an impressive gain from its No. 26 standing in 2015. "With a culture built on a positive, fun-loving team atmosphere, this family-owned grocery company offers its employees industry-leading wages and healthcare benefits, including 100% percent company-paid premiums," Fortune's summary explained. "To qualify, employees are only required to work 22 hours a week. The company has taken their employees snowmobiling and whitewater rafting, and celebrations are an integral part of Nugget's culture, including everyday recognitions for jobs well done and multiple annual parties at stores. It's a testament to the company that during its 90-year history, Nugget has never had a single layoff."
Other grocers featured on the Best Places to Work leaderboard include Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets, at No. 67 (up from No. 81 last year); and Austin, Texas-based Whole Food Market, at No. 75 (down from No. 55 in 2015). Like Wegmans, both have been on the list for 19 consecutive years, while Nugget has made the rankings 11 times.
In its introduction, Fortune said all companies appearing on the list "have created cultures of caring and invest in employees’ health, happiness, and career development. And most importantly: they’re all hiring!"
In the convenience store sector, QuikTrip (No. 76) and Sheetz (No. 97) made the list.
Among consumer packaged goods companies, Mars Inc. came in 99th, thanks to its generous benefits package and high rate of employee volunteerism. The McLean, Va.-based company, which has appeared on the list for four consecutive years, called the honor “another testament to Mars’ commitment to our people, who work hard to deliver our products with passion and pride.”