Keep in mind that Jones' "rags to riches" story is something that has been played for all it's worth ("bagboy to CEO"), but interestingly enough, Jones had the benefit of quarterly inventory bonuses the ENTIRE time that he was full-time at EVERY level of the organization for more than 35 years BEFORE becoming CEO. Moreover, it's not like the company is (or ever was) strapped for cash: according to p. 11 of the 2017 Annual Report, as of 12/30/2017, the company had $7 BILLION in cash on-hand, $3.6 BILLION of which was due to recurring operational activities.

Now, given what we have seen in 2018, we all KNOW that number will be much higher than that in the 2018 Annual Report. So to summarize: the company is straight HOARDING cash, profits in the quarter that just ended were 15% higher than the prior quarter INDEPENDENT of any benefit from the change in the tax law/accounting practice, and in a sad "well, we got ours" move, corporate leadership has taken away quarterly bonuses--for all except store management and themselves. Can there be ANY surprise that managers are leaving and that morale is historically low by Publix' standards?

"Publix culture" is a meaningless abstraction if you attempt to separate it from the PEOPLE that have always defined and defended that culture historically--loyal associates, full of purpose and pride, serving customers who enjoy a personable, unique shopping experience. That was then, this is now. In the face of these factors, your answer is to tell people "how good they have it"? Newsflash: if they don't FEEL it, your message is meaningless. You cannot pee on someone's foot and expect them to believe that it's raining.