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1

Employer Support of the Guard and

Reserve

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2

ESGR

• DoD Agency

• Established in 1972

• Guided by DoD Directive 1250.1

• Lead agency for information, education, and mediation for RC members and their employers

• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) experts

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3

Vision & Mission

• Vision

– Develop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.

• Mission Statement

– We will gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation.

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Organization

• National Committee – Arlington, Virginia

SES Executive Director Volunteer National Chairman

• ESGR Field Committees (56)

~4,500 volunteers 2-3 paid staff per Field Committee

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5

Strategic Goals

• Gain and maintain support from employers of Guard and Reserve members

• Educate customers and stakeholders

• Advocate for RC employers within DoD

• Continue to refine the ESGR organizational structure to be relevant, effective, and efficient

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Employer Relations

6

Unit

Employer

Family

All three components must be in balance

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Employer Feedback

• Lack of knowledge of USERRA

• Greatest impact is absence of key personnel

• Employers’ biggest concerns:

– Lack of predictability

– Trustworthiness of mobilization policy

– Continuous mobilizations

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8

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Priorities

• Recognize outstanding support

– Expand the Outreach Program by increasing numbers of Patriot Awards, Freedom Award nominations, media coverage

• Increase awareness of the law

– Create true partnership with stakeholders to provide unified, seamless service to our customers

• Resolve conflicts through mediation

– Increase by 10% the number of Ombudsman Cases closed within 14 days

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Organization Alliances

• Employer Associations

– Chambers of Commerce– National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)– Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

• Military Fraternal Organizations

– Association of the United States Army (AUSA)– Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)– Reserve Officers Association (ROA)

• Government Agencies

– Small Business Administration (SBA)– Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

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Programs & Services

• Proactive

– Employer and military member outreach through Statements of Support, Employer Awards, Briefing with the Boss, Boss Lifts, Military Liaison

• Responsive

– Ombudsman services• Results of outreach initiatives

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12

Legal Basis: USERRA

• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (Title 38, Chapter 43, U.S.C.)

• Provides employment/reemployment rights for service members and prohibits workplace discrimination

• Applies to all members of the uniformed services in a federally funded status

− Excludes State active duty − Regardless of voluntary or involuntary service

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USERRA

• Service Member Requirements−Provide prior notice to employer (preferably in

writing) −Serve under honorable conditions−Return to work in a timely manner:

• Service Time Requirement− 1-30 Days………….. Report next scheduled work day− 31-180 Days………. Apply within 14 days of completion of

service− 181+ Days…………. Apply within 90 days of completion

of service