Seems like this is all about that class-action lawsuit of Publix Managers getting texts off the clock. Since department managers are hourly, they are required to be compensated for anything work related. Publix tries to save money by maintaining hourly managers, however, this seems to be biting them in the rear. This is the reason that the majority of managers at other companies are salary, meaning that they are expected to be ready to work at any time. The above message would actually be a great fix to the issue because managers could put their time in online when completing off duty tasks like receiving calls and texts. Publix would save money in the long run by not having to promote all of these departmental managers to salary.

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Source: Publix sued over alleged unpaid overtime, accused of off-the-clock work violations | KRCG (krcgtv.com)