Publix
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Publix does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. In 2021, Publix settle a lawsuit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after it did not accommodate an employee's request to wear dreadlocks, and he chose to quit before his first day. Publix has since amended its grooming policy to allow for religious exemptions, though the company never admitted wrongdoing in the suit. Otherwise, it has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. The company pledged $1 million to BLM and related causes. However, it has not used its reputation or PAC contributions for ideological purposes. For these reasons, Publix receives a Lower Risk rating.
Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
In 2021, Publix settled a lawsuit for requiring an employee to change his dreadlocks hairstyle to meet their grooming requirements (1). The suit was filed by the EEOC in 2017 for violating the employee’s right to a religious exemption or accommodation for Rastafarianism. As part of the suit, Publix must administer training on its nondiscrimination and religious accommodation policy to all human resource employees, managers, and supervisors at the Nashville store where the incident occurred. Publix has relaxed its grooming standards since 2017 when the lawsuit was first filed. Otherwise, Publix has not publicly fired customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Publix does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Publix does not use its corporate reputation to advance ideological causes hostile to freedom of expression (1).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Publix has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
August 22, 2023
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