Most employment conflicts can be avoided by being
candid with your employer about your obligations as a member of the Reserve
or National Guard. Don't take your employer's support for granted. Keep
your boss informed about what you do in the military and when you do it.
Let your boss know the vital mission that is supported by your participation
in the National Guard or Reserve. Let your boss know how your military experience
and training will make you a more capable civilian employee. Take time to
recognize the sacrifice your boss and co-workers make when they support
you. Here's a summary of advice from ESGR
on how to keep the boss on your side.
No matter what your military assignment or specialty, tell your employer
about it. Many people hold down military jobs that relate directly to their
civilian careers. If yours is one of them, your boss would be pleased to
know that you are learning and practicing military skills that can pay off
on the job. Even if what you do in the military is different from your civilian
job, sharing the details can impress your boss. You are using your spare
time to participate in a second career that is of great importance to your
community and the nation. That is a strong indication to people at work
that you are the type of person who seeks out — and can handle —
serious responsibility.
Reward the boss for supporting your service.
The Department of Defense will send your boss — through your unit commander
— a personally prepared certificate of appreciation if you, the National
Guard or Reserve member, just apply for it. The certificate comes mounted
in a handsome folder, bearing the DoD seal embossed in gold. Take time to
do your best to "brag" about your boss. The stronger your boss's
support (as shown in the application), the greater the likelihood that he
or she will also receive a higher award. Each ESGR Committee (one in each
state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands)
presents plaques to their six most supportive employers each year. The ESGR
National Headquarters sponsors the prestigious PRO PATRIA award, presented
each year by each ESGR Committee to their single most supportive employer.
The Secretary of Defense presents the highest awards, the Employer Support
Freedom Award, to the most outstanding employers for the year — one
national winner and four regional semifinalists. Applications can be obtained
from your unit ESGR representative, any member of your ESGR Committee, the
ESGR Website, or by calling
ESGR directly at 1-800-336-4590.
