WestJet tops for corporate social responsibility

Reputation Institute releases annual survey on Canadian companies

CALGARY, Oct. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet is the most reputable Canadian company for corporate social responsibility (CSR), according to a new study by the Reputation Institute, the world's leading research and advisory firm for reputation. The results are based on a survey on more than 300 companies.

The study "reflects public perceptions of corporate performance across three increasingly important dimensions of corporate reputation: citizenship, workplace and governance," according to the Institute. "The results describe which companies are best regarded by consumers for having a positive societal influence, being environmentally friendly, operating with openness and transparency, behaving ethically, rewarding employees fairly and promoting employee well-being, among other factors."

"Corporate social responsibility is part of our DNA and we take enormous pride in our community investment and commitment to sustainable growth, as well as our mission to enrich the lives of everyone in WestJet's world," said Gregg Saretsky, President and CEO of WestJet. "To be recognized as Canada's most reputable company in such an important area is the result of the passion, hard work and dedication of our nearly 12,000 WestJetters who have been the cornerstone of our success for 20 years."

In addition, Canadian Business magazine has ranked WestJet third among the top 25 brands in the country, based on a national survey of Canadians. This is the fifth consecutive year the airline has finished in the top three.

In ranking WestJet third, Canadian Business magazine mentioned, "Years of cultivating that reputation meant that when WestJet stepped up efforts to assist with evacuations from Fort McMurray, Alberta during its devastating 2016 wildfire, it felt like a natural step for the company, not a cynical public relations maneuver."

WestJet is proud to be the first Canadian airline to release a CSR report adhering to the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) guidelines. The structure created by the GRI promotes an atmosphere of transparent reporting and allows organizations to measure their progress against international standards. 

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes :
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)

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SOURCE WestJet

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