 |
| CAMARADERIE |
 |
|
|
 | |
| | Southwest Airlines Co. |  | President/CEO:Mr. Jim Parker | | 35000 employees | | HQ: Dallas, TX | | www.iflyswa.com |
|
|
| |
| At Southwest Airlines, management wants employees to feel comfortable, reflecting its philosophy that an employee who is comfortable can think more freely and creatively. A casual dress policy reinforces the company's desire that people be themselves on the job. Regular celebrations bring employees together. These include "Spirit Parties," Culture parties, and weekly Deck Parties at headquarters. Activities at these events include gong shows, talent shows, dance contests, limbo contests, karaoke, and famous person look-alike themes. |
| The Culture Committee welcomes new employees with a New Hire Welcome Kit, which includes a bag, tee-shirt, badge holder, pen, and welcome letter. An employee recognition program in which employees recognize each other builds community within and across departments. For instance, one work group Committee recognizes flight attendants ten times per year with "Hokey Days," named for the broom apparatus used by flight attendants to sweep up the flights. Committee members choose two locations at which to honor flight attendants, greeting each arriving plane, waiting until passengers deplane, and then boarding with goodie bags. The committee members tell the flight attendants to relax, and then clean the airplane for them. |
| Similar recognition programs honor maintenance facilities, ramp agents, reservation centers, and various departments within headquarters. Almost every employee location is honored by at least one other work group each year. |
