Publix Now Offering Parental Leave to New Parents

As retailers across the U.S. are facing a worker shortage and trying to retain employees, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix is starting the new year with offering parental leave to employees who are new parents.

Publix is the country's largest employee-owned grocer with more than 225,000 associates. The new benefit applies to eligible full-time and part-time workers.

Company officials confirmed the paid parental leave and added that it aligns with the grocer’s core value dedicated to the "dignity, value and employment security of our associates."

“Publix is committed to being a great place to work, and we frequently review our benefits to continually offer a comprehensive package to our associates,” Maria Brous, Publix's communications director, said in an email. “We’re pleased to share beginning Jan. 1, 2022, we’ll offer paid parental leave for eligible full- and part-time associates to take time off with pay within the first year after the birth or adoption of a child.”

Details on the amount of paid time off were not provided.

According to Publix's website, retail sales in 2020 reached $44.9 billion. The company operates 1,294 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Last month the grocer revealed its plan for expansion into Kentucky. Publix CEO Todd Jones recently spoke on the supermarket chain’s continued growth into the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  

“With two planned stores currently in development, we are excited to continue sharing our Publix culture and commitment to service with the Bluegrass State,” Jones said in a statement.