Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

1. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

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

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.

4. 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

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

6. Employer Relations Employer Unit Family All three components must be in balance 6

7. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

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

13. 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