A couple of weeks ago the Rector, chaplain of the Baltimore branch of the Navy League, received the following e-mail from the Branch President Alan Walden, the radio broadcaster and commentator. The Rector is in England, but he liked it so much he tasked me with the job of sharing it with you.
I don’t ordinarily think of Sears when I plan my shopping. But, with the holidays approaching, I may have to rethink my priorities… and not because of prices. Why Sears? Read on.
Question: How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? (By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up for active duty.)
Answer: Sears voluntarily pays the difference in salaries and maintains all benefits for up to two years, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all reservists who’ve been called up. I submit that, by so doing, Sears has proved to be an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I, therefore, suggest that we all shop at Sears at least once, and be sure to find a manager to tell why we are there. Pass it on.
—Alan Walden
Editor’s Note: Sears received this award through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), which “[d]isseminate[s] information to improve knowledge of, and voluntary compliance with, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) among Reserve component leaders, members, and their employers.” Hundreds of employers in each state have signed a Statement of Support, but a smaller number have received the “Above and Beyond” Award. Fewer still have received the Freedom Award. Sears Holding Company is one such awardee, having received the award in October 2005, and the MOAA Distinguished Service Award in March 2006.
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