To build a reputation as a leader in corporate social responsibility, companies should focus on strong governance practices, positive working conditions, and a commitment to supporting the needs of communities and the environment
Southwest airlines has consistently been on top, in the American companies that are nominated as the best practitioners of CSR in the country. Southwest divides its social responsibility among three principal categories; Community outreach/volunteerism, environmental initiatives and Charitable giving.
Community Outreach & Volunteerism
Southwest serves by developing relationships with nonprofit organizations on both a local and national level across communities. Building these relationships involves committing the organization’s resources of time, tickets, and interest to be a hometown carrier that cares. Southwest Employees can be seen volunteering across the country, as well as serving on local, state, and national boards to assist nonprofit organizations in achieving their missions.
Southwest believes volunteers are crucial to the health of nonprofit organizations that work to meet needs in American communities. Its Employees volunteer their time day in and day out for the important causes that are closest to their hearts. In 2009, Southwest Airlines Employees volunteered more than 45,000 hours to charities across the country. In an effort to support these passionate Employee volunteers, Southwest Airlines launched the Tickets for Time program. For every 40 hours that the Employees volunteer for a nonprofit organization, the benefitting nonprofit organization is eligible to receive one complimentary, roundtrip ticket on Southwest Airlines for fundraising or transportation needs.
Make-a-wish program is one of the recent programs that southwest participated in as a partner. Adopt-a-pilot is another one. These examples are of programs that are meant for the underprivileged community of children
References: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/southwest-recognized-its-corporate-social-responsibility http://www.southwest.