Program addresses needs of employers, soldiers during deployment
Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series about the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program, which recently had employers from across the state at a “Boss Lift” at Fort Indiantown Gap to show the importance of employers supporting their employees who get called to active duty.Since 9/11, more than 700,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists from across the nation have left their civilian jobs and donned their military uniforms to protect their country. In a multitude of communities across Pennsylvania, thousands of men and women who are teachers, engineers, students, police officers and managers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday have been called to active duty at least once in the past five years.
The loss of manpower can be devastating to a business, especially when a lengthy training process normally precedes a 12- to 18-month overseas deployment.
Sometimes, a domestic disaster can also result in the activation of a local Guard or Reserve unit for several days or weeks that leaves a void in the operation of a company.
“It is a fight we have to fight together,” said Bobby G. Hollingsworth, executive director of the National Committee for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (NCESGR), as he addressed employers from across the state during a recent conference at Fort Indiantown Gap. “(These soldiers) are the future leadership of this country.
“We are so blessed as a nation to have these young men and women willing to serve their country.”
The ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that serves both employers and Guard and Reserve soldiers to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. The organization includes 2,500 volunteer executives, senior government representatives, educators and military personnel.
The ESGR was initiated after the military draft ended in the 1970s with an active committee based in each state and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to protect those who opt for volunteer military service.
Each year, the Pennsylvania organization conducts a “Boss Lift” for employers in an effort to reinforce the need for a cooperative relationship between the military, business owners and the civilian soldier.
“We seek a balance of all type of employers from across the commonwealth,” said George Duell Jr., ESGR field committee chairman for the selection of companies for the three-day event. “(The invitation is made to) large and small business venues, both public and private.
“Some are strong supporters and seek more information. Some have limited understanding and seek to learn what the whole process is all about.
“In inviting employers, our goal is to educate, inform and develop a better understanding of the role of our Reserve components and the key role employers play in America’s defense. Then, we hope they will return to their communities and share what they have seen and learned with others.”
Approximately 30 employers with Guardsmen and Reservists on the payroll at their respective firms gathered at the Pennsylvania Army National Guard training facility to get a first-hand look at the equipment now being used by the soldiers, to witness the training required to operate the high-tech equipment and to learn that their support is vital to the national security.
Brian Coleman, a veteran and deputy superintendent at the State Correctional Institute in Greene County, who attended the conference, said that while the lengthy absences of Guardsmen and Reservists can be difficult, the soldiers always return to the job site with heightened levels of professionalism and training.
“A soldier has good leadership skills, a better work ethic, strong sense of values, more respectful, and are positive role models in an institutional environment,” he said. “We already know that they are willing to make a sacrifice and it is apparent they are dedicated to their job.”
Because the bulk of employees at the prison facility have a military background, Coleman said it is not unusual to have several positions filled by temporary employees while soldiers fulfill their commitment.
“In May of 2005, we had 31 (employees) activated for duty,” said Coleman, adding that current numbers are lower.
While the employer/employee services of the ESGR have not been utilized by the state facility, Coleman said representatives make frequent presentations to management to ensure the guidelines of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which protects the rights of soldiers in the Guard and Reserves, are followed.
“Teamwork is vital between the military, the employer and the employee,” he said.
Fred J. Fair, chairman of the North West Pennsylvania ESGR committee and an informal mediator, said that area employers have a good working relationship with their military employees.
“Most of our western Pennsylvania employers are very good at working with our service personnel when they return to their civilian jobs,” he said.
The most recurring differences include job firings, lost vacation time, salary, position and seniority, said Fair.
“We have resolved 90-percent of the differences between Guard and Reserve employees and their employers,” he said. “The very small amount of cases that we can not resolve is normally turned over to the Department of Labor.”
The organization, in conjunction with the Department of Defense, also recognizes the employers that have exceeded their responsibilities to the activated Guardsmen or Reservist with various awards, including the Freedom Award and the Seven Seals Award.
Current Technologies Corp. of Johnstown and Dan Tis, president of S and D Engineering of Pittsburgh, were presented the Seven Seals Award after being nominated by their employee/soldiers.
“It is a tribute to their outstanding support,” said Fair. “The companies went above and beyond what was required of them; they took care of the soldier’s families and kept in close contact with the soldier while they were deployed and that effort was appreciated by the soldier.”
For more information about the Pennsylvania ESGR, call Larry Klink at 717-861-8782 or the national organization at 1-800-336-4589.