Working with WestJet Part IV - Rewarding Hard Work

Management showing appreciation to staff is so important in the workplace. Letting staff now they’ve done a good job in the workplace helps continue happy and hardworking staff. WestJet recognizes this and makes sure to reward employees when they go the extra mile.

During a bad whether delay during the holiday season, WestJet began it’s “Because owners care” strategy, which was created to provide excellent customer service. During this time staff worked up to 16 hours at the Calgary airport. They would staff checkouts, kiosks and baggage belts and also served food and drinks to customers waiting in line. For their hard work WestJet’s president and CEO Sean Durfy gave employees a $500 flight created. This gesture allowed him to show his appreciation and continue to show the importance of WestJet’s mission even in tough times. Hard work is both recognized and rewarded.¹

WestJet also offers their employees amazing incentives. Employees receive profit-sharing cheques twice a year. They can also choose to receive up to 20% of their salaries in shares, which WestJet then matches 100%. I couldn’t think of a better way to motivate and please employees.

WestJet doesn’t hide this either. Everyone’s seen the commercials. They show a WestJet employee going beyond the call of duty to help a customer, and then end with the slogan, “why do WestJet employees care so much? Because we’re also WestJet owners.” What a great way to promote your company by showing potential customers how great you treat both the customers and employees.

It’s no wonder employees seem so happy and always willing to be there for customers, they have something to work towards.

1. Prashad, S. (2009). The Playbook. Canadian Business.

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