Publix lauded nationally for crisis leadership, employee satisfaction

Publix, Bloomin’ Brands and BayCare Health System — some of the region’s largest entities, in both annual revenue and payrolls — have something to celebrate amid the pandemic that’s upended their business models.

Lakeland-based Publix and Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands, parent of Outback Steakhouse, are two of five companies that made Global Finance magazine’s 2020 list Outstanding Crisis Leadership, in the overall corporate excellence category. A third company on the list, St. Louis-based health insurance giant Centene Corp., has a big connection to the region in that acquired Tampa-based WellCare for $17 billion earlier this year.  The other two companies on the list are Lamborghini and Ethiopian Airlines Group.

The magazine, according to a statement, analyzed each nominated company’s “efforts in light of its particular characteristics and conditions, such as size, market reach, government mandates, pandemic’s local impact” and more. The list was announced in late October, and more details on the winners will be in a December issue of Global Finance.

BayCare, meanwhile, a Clearwater-based nonprofit that operates 15 hospitals in the region, joined Publix on People magazine’s fourth annual list of 50 companies that care. Publix ranked No. 1 on the People list and BayCare ranked No. 6. The list was featured in the Sept. 14 issue of People.

Publix got to the top of through its stalwart characteristics: employee satisfaction and devoted customer service.  To wit, nearly nine in 10 employees, 88%, say Publix is a great place to work, according to the survey in People. Also, at least 93% answered yes to the following sentences: I am given the resources and equipment to do my job; I feel good about the ways we contribute to the community; and when you join the company you are made to feel welcome.

BayCare also had high scores, with 91% saying it’s a great place to work; 94% agreeing with the statement I’m proud to tell others I work here; and 92% agreeing with the statement that when I look at what we accomplish I feel a sense of pride.