When you think of a regional supermarket with 101 stores in seven states, over 49,000 employees, 9.2 billion in annual sales in 2018 and is the largest privately-owned company in the US you have to think of Wegmans. (Wegmans, 2019). Being considered one of the most socially and ethically responsible companies in the nation it’s no wonder the customers and employees love them.
Wegmans conducts business in a socially responsible matter, and it starts with their vision, that “good people, working towards a common goal can accomplish anything they set out to do”. (Comparably, 2019). For Wegmans being socially responsible is some they take pride in by giving back to the communities they serve and want nothing but the best for their employees. They make a conscious effort to keep the prices low, by offering a shoppers card that gives customers a discount on weekly sale items at the same time earning valuable points that can be used towards future discounts. As a socially responsible company, they understand that it’s important to reduce hunger, and this is done by donating over 14,5 million pounds of food to local food banks with the purpose of helping young people succeed, promote healthy eating, and activities, strengthen neighborhoods well as support United Way initiatives. (Wegmans 2019). Wegmans has gone above and beyond in wanting to do something for seeing impaired customers by becoming the “first supermarket chain in the U.S. to offer free access to Aira, a mobile app and a wearable app built to assist low-vision or blind customers. In-store, the app enables blind shoppers to connect to a remote sighted agent who can help the shopper navigate the store, find specific items and identify the shortest checkout line via live camera stream, GPS, maps and information sourced from the web”. (PYMNT.Com, 2019). For all that Wegman does for the communities, they serve this can not possible without their dedicated 49,000 employees which they take pride in hiring from the Community. They offer great pay, host of benefit programs such as tuition reimbursement and employee scholarships Of over $115 million Dating back to 1984. Wegman was ranked third by Fortune magazine in 2019 as the 100 best companies to work for. Over the years sustainability has also played a role in Wegman’s success and they have become totally committed to environmental concerns In which their customers and employees live. By creating sustainable packaging they were able to reduce 6,000,000 pounds of virgin fossil-based plastic, reduce emissions by installing LED lighting throughout their stores, and install solar panels across their corporate office buildings, amongst other environmental initiatives. (Wegmans, 2019).
Wegmans has always been a company that people love and Has been ranked second on the fortune’s top 100 companies to work for. (Lucas, 2018). In 2011 they experienced a lawsuit for unethical behavior by a manager when he told an employee Jordan Bartman to “suck it up” (Lucas, 2018), when she requested FMLA leave for chronic depression and anxiety. (Lucas, 2018). She stated throughout the ordeal the manager continue to harass her as the illness worsened which ultimately led to her firing for “chronic absence, tardiness, and failure to follow call-in procedures”. (Lucas, 2018). The case was ultimately settled with no disclosure to the outcome. Another incident that was reported in 2018, Wegmans failed to be socially responsible when they were fined $1.25 million by the State Liquor Authority for “availing their license to five affiliated liquor stores which are prohibited under state law for a supermarket to sell wines and liquors in various states”. (Cleveland, W. 2018). Although the company denied any wrongdoing they have put processes in place to prevent these types of incidents from happening in the near future.
To spite, Wegmans having a few hiccups along the way, this only came due to growing pains. Based on what the company has done for its communities and employees it is safe to say that Wegmans is green for the environment. They understand the importance of the environment and being a good corporate citizen is not only good for business but is good for younger generations and future generations to come. They are committed to helping the environment whether it’s replacing all lighting in their stores with LEDs, adding solar panels to there stores, and reducing carbon emissions, they know doing things the right way will ultimately affect their bottom-line and remain a company that’s committed to the needs of their customers and employees. (Wegmans, 2019).
References:
Cleveland, W. (2018, November 22). Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved from
https://amp.democratandchronicle.com/amp/2083302002
Comparably. (2019). Wegmans Mission, Vision & Values. Retrieved from
https://www.comparably.com/companies/wegmans/mission
Lucas, S. (2018, August 11). Lawsuit: Wegmans Told Employee to “Suck It Up” Instead of Granting FMLA. Retrieved from
PYMNT.Com, (2019). The Real Hunger Games: A Battle Royale In The Grocery Aisles. Retrieved from
Shah, K. (2015, September 14). Wegmans Slapped With $188K in Fines Over Safety Violations. Retrieved from
https://www.eater.com/platform/amp/2015/9/14/9326191/wegmans-fines-safety-violations
Wegmans. (2019). Company Overview. Retrieved from
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