FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- As the role of the Guard and Reserve in worldwide operations continues to grow, the support of families and employers of today’s Minutemen becomes even more important.
Eight employers were recognized by the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve organization at a ceremony here Thursday. Each company was presented with the ESGR Above and Beyond Award.
One of the companies, Lee Memorial Health System, Fort Myers, Fla., is the ESGR Florida Field Committee’s nominee for the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.
“We’re trying to do the right thing,” said Ms. Kimberley Gaide, staff activities military support supervisor for Lee Memorial, about the company’s commitment to Guard and Reserve members, their families, and the military overall.
“We see ourselves in a [community] leadership role. We’re a an organization dedicated to taking care of the health of our community and this role means that we have to set the tone [for all businesses and organizations in the community],” said Mr. Jon C. Cecil, chief human resources officer for Lee Memorial.
The keynote speaker at the event was Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Mr. Hall lauded the employers at the reception for their dedication to the country and to their employees.
Lee Memorial’s company motto, “The Heart of the Community,” goes a long way in explaining how they became listed as a “National Employer of Choice” recently by the non-profit organization Employers United for a Stronger America. During the awards reception the company also signed the ESGR “5-Star Statement of Support” letter.
Lee Memorial Health System employs more than 6,800 people in Lee County, Fla., and has close ties to three families directly impacted by the Global War on Terror: first, one of their employees lost a son at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom; then an employee from one of their hospital emergency rooms was killed while serving in the military. A third employee lost a brother during current operations.
Mr. Cecil refers to Ms. Gaide as the “mom” of the organization. “We send out 50 to 70 care packages a month to service men and women and encourage family members of our Reservists to call me if they need anything at all,” said Ms. Gaide.
By signing the 5-Star Letter of Support, Lee Memorial, and the other seven companies, agree to uphold human resources policies that ease employment concerns for their Reservists. They have each reviewed their human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law, and they promote training for managers and supervisors to effectively manage their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
The companies have adopted polices and programs that are “Above and Beyond” what is required by the USERRA Law, and they will serve as advocates for employee service in the National Guard and Reserve and help promote the mission of ESGR.
Lee Memorial provides full pay and benefits to employee Guard and Reservists for the duration of their military duty.
Mr. Cecil is taking the Lee Memorial philosophy to the Florida business community in an effort to strengthen understanding of the role of Reservists and promote human resources policies that recognize their value.
More than a half million Guard and Reservists have volunteered or been called to duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
The other companies recognized with an Above and Beyond Award at the ceremony included Spirit Airlines, Wackenhut Corporation, Motorola Radio Products Group, AutoNation, Harris Corporation, Florida Power and Light, and Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne Division.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve organization was established by the Department of Defense in 1972. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.