Southwest Airlines Flies the Diversity Flag

Jul 10, 2013 6:15 PM ET
Campaign: CSR Blogs

ANTONIO PASOLINI

Affirmative action has been in the news lately, thanks to several legal cases involving race-sensitive admissions policies adopted by universities to promote a diverse student body. The discussion is positive because it provides an incentive to improve such policies. Meanwhile, the business world is increasingly conscious that diversity makes sense not only on ethical grounds, but also on the performance front.

This is what attendees at the Diversity Summit that will take place on August 1 in Dallas will be discussing. The event is organized by Southwest Airlines's Diversity Council, which was formed in 2007, and will take place at the company's headquarters. For this year's edition (the fourth), the theme will be "Reframe the Dialogue." The event will bring together corporate executives, HR professionals, and community leaders who will be discussing how diversity and inclusion can benefit a company's performance.

As an airline business serving a diversity of customers, the company is well aware that its clientele should see itself reflected in its workforce, from the employees greeting and serving customers at the airport and aboard its flights.

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Antonio Pasolini is a Corporate Social Responsibility writer for Justmeans, Antonio Pasolini is a journalist based in Brazil who writes about alternative energy, green living and sustainability. He also edits Energyrefuge.com, a top web destination for news and comment on renewable energy and Elpis.org, a recycled paper bag/magazine distributed from health food stores in London, formerly his hometown for over a decade. He is also a happy herbivore.