Vacationers inquire about their flights at a Southwest counter at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport in Los Angeles, California.Frederic J. Brown | AFP
Vacationers inquire about their flights at a Southwest counter at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport in Los Angeles, California.
Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Photographs
Southwest Airways launched new hiring referral bonuses for employees this week because the service struggles to rent new staff to cater to a rebound in journey demand.
“Southwest is experiencing a pointy decline in certified candidates resulting from low labor pressure participation and competitors for obtainable expertise,” Julie Weber, Southwest’s vp and chief folks officer, wrote in a Tuesday be aware to employees, which was reviewed by CNBC.
Employees can obtain 20,000 “SWAG Factors” if referrals settle for affords and work for six months, in response to Weber’s be aware. These factors on Southwest’s inside platform have a taxable worth of 1.5 cent every, an organization doc says, giving the factors a price of about $300. Southwest’s factors might be redeemed for frequent flyer miles, reward playing cards or live performance tickets.
The factors can’t be redeemed for money, Southwest mentioned. 5 staff’ referrals can even be chosen every week for five,000 factors for the referring employees member, Weber wrote.
Southwest and different carriers spent a lot of the pandemic urging staff to take early retirement packages or unpaid or partially paid day off. Now, they’re scrambling to rent or retrain employees to cater to the rebound in journey demand that materialized quicker than many airline executives mentioned they anticipated.
Staffing shortages within the airline trade this summer time have led to hourslong maintain occasions for customer support traces and exacerbated flight disruptions from points resembling dangerous climate. Flight crews at American Airways and Southwest have complained a few lack of accessible accommodations or meals choices whereas they’re on obligation.
In June, Southwest raised its minimal wage to $15 an hour.
Southwest did not say what number of staff it hopes to rent. Earlier this yr it mentioned it wants extra flight attendants and pilots, although job postings additionally embrace ramp and customer support brokers amongst others. The motivation program runs by means of Nov. 20.