Southwest Cares: Doing the Right Thing
Our People
outhwest Airlines’ number one priority is to ensure the personal Safety of each Southwest Customer and Employee. Beyond this, we follow “The Golden Rule,” which means we treat each other the way we want to be treated, which is why doing the right thing by our Employees and Customers is so inherent to who we are. We believe in Living the Southwest Way, which is to have a Warrior Spirit, a Servant’s Heart, and a Fun-LUVing Attitude. Within each of these categories are specific behaviors to help us be a Safe, profitable, and Fun place to work.
- Work hard
- Desire to be the best
- Be courageous
- Display a sense of urgency
- Perservere
- Innovate
- Follow the Golden Rule
- Adhere to the Basic Principles
- Treat others with respect
- Put others first
- Be egalitarian
- Demonstrate proactive
Customer Service - Embrace the SWA Family
- Have FUN
- Don’t take yourself too seriously
- Maintain perspective (balance)
- Celebrate successes
- Enjoy your work
- Be a passionate Teamplayer
Vision for the Future Our vision for our People is clear. We want to protect the job security, prosperity, and well-being of all of our Employees. Our focus is to bring the best People, with Fun-LUVing attitudes, into the Southwest Airlines Family, at a competitive salary, ensuring all have an equal opportunity—then give them the positive work environment, training, and encouragement to succeed.
Southwest Airlines Goals for Success
(PDF Format)
Our Employees In 2008, Southwest had 35,499 full time equivalent Employees. Southwest’s workforce in 2008 was 44 percent female and 28 percent minority, reflecting a slight increase from 2007 in the number of female and minority Employees. Southwest Airlines’ People & Leadership Development Department is committed to sourcing for qualified minorities and female applicants to assist Southwest in continuing the progress made in 2008. Through a variety of sources, such as local and community job fairs, career days, special events, and liaison with trade/technical schools, colleges and universities, Southwest can continue its work toward identifying and utilizing current and new sources of qualified minority and female candidates. The People & Leadership Development Department works to ensure that all minority and female applicants are given fair and equal consideration for job openings.
Diversity At Southwest Airlines, Diversity is more than a word; it is an expression of our operations in every way. A diverse workforce keeps Southwest strong and innovative, and we seek to mirror the communities we serve. Our People are our greatest strength, and they are an amazing group of Employees from different backgrounds and countries. This means more richness in the diversity of ideas, knowledge, and actions, which has made us the only consistently profitable airline in the world and which helped create the powerful corporate Culture for which we are known. A Spirit of Inclusion brings a Company together, and we embrace different perspectives and celebrate those who dare to bring their best forward.
- Improve the recruitment and advancement of women and minorities
- Increase supplier diversity e.g. MWBE (Minority Women owned Business Enterprises) (see page 20)
- Create awareness and show appreciation of cultural and lifestyle differences within our diverse workforce
- Organize and amplify issues that improve inclusiveness and diversity
- Serve as a conduit and resource, and direct issues raised to appropriate Departments for follow-up and/or action
Equal Employment Opportunity Southwest Airlines prohibits any and all types of harassment or discrimination of our Employees by other Employees or outside parties. Harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status, is inappropriate, offensive, and will not be tolerated. All Employees are responsible for maintaining a positive working environment, free of discrimination and harassment, and free of hostile, threatening, or intimidating behavior.
At Southwest Airlines we have policies in place to ensure a harassment and discrimination free environment, but more importantly, we believe that following these policies is simply the right thing to do!
