DALLAS, Jan. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that it has, once
again, received a rating of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign
Foundation on the 2021 Corporate Equality Index, designating the
airline as being a "Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality." The
Corporate Equality Index (CEI) is a national benchmarking survey
and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ
workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign
Foundation.
"Southwest Airlines has a nearly 50-year history of putting
People first and this designation reflects that focus," said
Ellen Torbert, Southwest's Vice
President of Diversity & Inclusion. "Being named a 'Best Place
to Work for LGBTQ Equality' demonstrates our continuous efforts to
put Employees first, offer excellent benefits, and positively
impact the LGBTQ community."
Southwest Airlines has a history of giving back to the LGBTQ
community and is proud of the continued community partnerships it
has with organizations that are working hard to make a positive
difference in the lives of the LGBTQ community.
"From the previously unimaginable impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, to a long overdue reckoning with racial injustice, 2020
was an unprecedented year. Yet, many businesses across the nation
stepped up and continued to prioritize and champion LGBTQ
equality," said Alphonso David,
Human Rights Campaign President. "This year has shown us that tools
like the CEI are crucial in the work to increase equity and
inclusion in the workplace, but also that companies must breathe
life into these policies and practices in real and tangible ways.
Thank you to the companies that understand protecting their LGBTQ
employees and consumers from discrimination is not just the right
thing to do—but the best business decision."
The results of the 2021 CEI showcase how 1,142 U.S.-based
companies are promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies.
Southwest's efforts in satisfying all of the CEI's criteria results
in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to
Work for LGBTQ Equality.
ABOUT HRC
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the
educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization
working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are
embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every
community.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 50th year of
service, Dallas-based Southwest
Airlines Co. continues to differentiate itself from other
air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by
nearly 56,000 Employees to a Customer base that
topped 130 million Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust
network of point-to-point service with a strong presence across top
leisure and business markets. In peak travel seasons during
2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a
network of 101 destinations in the United
States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier
added service to Hilo, Hawaii;
Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Palm Springs,
Calif., Steamboat Springs, and Montrose (Telluride), Colo. In 2021, Southwest
will begin service to both Chicago
(O'Hare) and Sarasota/Bradenton on Feb.
14; both Savannah/Hilton Head
and Colorado Springs on March 11;
both Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif. on April 12; Fresno,
Calif. on April 25; and
Jackson, Miss., on June 6.
The carrier issued
its Southwest® Promise in
May 2020 to highlight new and
round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees
well-being and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning
efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, and face
covering requirements for Customers and Employees. Additional
details about the Southwest Promise are available at
Southwest.com/Promise.
Southwest coined Transfarency® to
describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and
fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only
major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone
(first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits
apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in
qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees,
though fare differences might apply.
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world,
known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the
carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its
People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to
efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives
back to communities across the world by visiting
Southwest.com/citizenship.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at
Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.