Wegmans, Publix, Nugget Among Top Workplaces for Diversity

Wegmans Food Markets, Publix Super Markets and Nugget Markets are included in Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity for 2017, coming in fifth, sixth and 51st, respectively.

Among the other retailers to make the annual ranking of U.S. companies that are “doing the most to create inclusive cultures for minorities, LGBT employees, and women” are Tulsa, Okla.-based convenience store operator QuikTrip, at No. 29, while McLean, Va.-based CPG company Mars Inc. came in at No. 47.

“Wegmans gives everyone an opportunity to be successful,” an associate of the Rochester, N.Y.-based retailer noted in Fortune. “Everyone is given a fair opportunity to move up in the company. It chooses the right person for the job. Most companies would probably say that they care for their employees, but this company has shown me that it really does care for its employees. Not only does it help employees become stronger workers, but it helps people become stronger and better outside of work as well.”

"It's important to be a great place to work for everyone," said Wegmans President and CEO Colleen Wegman. "Respect is one of our core values, because it means that we are sharing ideas and listening to one another. Diversity of thought, gender, generation and race [is] truly the foundation of our company's success."

“Publix has always been in it for the long run, and I know I’ll have a job here forever,” an employee asserted in the Fortune piece. “No matter what position you start in, there is always room to grow.”

“We work to provide an inclusive environment for all our associates, and we are proud of the diversity that exists in our Publix family,” observed Marcy Benton, VP of talent management at the Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer.

“This company thrives on being fun,” an employee of Woodland, Calif.-based Nugget Markets said in Fortune. “There’s always opportunity to do activities with our associates. The diverse group of people working here gives us a wide range of personalities and cultures to immerse ourselves in. Nugget is hands-down the best place I’ve ever worked.”

"It is an honor, and we are humbled to be among the many great companies that continually strive to achieve diversity in the workplace," Nugget Markets President and CEO told Progressive Grocer. "Our leadership focuses on creating an environment that supports the diversity of our communities, and our dedication to RAVE (Respect, Appreciate and Value Everyone) reinforces the need for all of us to be inclusive of everyone, always. It is diversity that strengthens our company and the communities we live and work in."

To determine the Best Workplaces in Diversity list, New York- and San Francisco-based Great Place to Work solicited feedback from 442, 624 employees on more than 50 survey questions anonymously rating their employers. Great Place to Work generates Fortune’s annual 100 Best Companies to Work For ranking, as well as various lists relating to particular topics, such as Best Workplaces in Retail and Best Workplaces for Women, in addition to Best Workplaces for Diversity.