Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve or ESGR is a Department of Defense agency with its stated goal to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.  This organization recognizes outstanding employer support as well as seeks to increase awareness of the law, and resolve conflicts through mediation.  ESGR has three main goals.  They are to Inform, Recognize and Mediate.

Informing is accomplished by establishing face to face briefings with the service member, their employer and their unit.  The term "Bosslifts" came about from this processes.  This gives your employer a first hand experience of the service member's experience of military life.   Additional information is provided to the employer such as leave of absence templates, sample letters to employers and USERRA wallet cards through the service members local ESGR field committee and www.esgr.mil

ESGR also recognizes employers who are supportive of their service member worker through the ESGR Patriot Awards program.    This award is a great way to tell your boss, "I appreciate your support!".  The service member may nominate their boss at www.esgr.mil

Mediation is a free service offered by ESGR.  They provide a professionally-trained Ombudsmen to help clear up misunderstandings between the service member and the employer.  It is important to note that ESGR volunteers are available in every state and U.S. territory to provide assistance.

The bottom line is that your civilian job is protected.  The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal law which protects your civilian job while you serve in the military whether or not you volunteered for duty!

Some key provisions include the following.  If you have been deployed for 1-30 days of service, you must return to work the next scheduled day (after safe travel home and 8 hours rest).  If you are deployed for 31-180 days, you must reapply for reemployment within 14 days after service completion.  If you have been deployed for 181 days or more, then you have to apply for reemployment within 90 days after service completion.

You should know that USERRA has a 5 year job protection limit.  The employer is not required to reschedule work missed due to military service and you are not required to find a replacement worker.  

Furthermore, USERRA does not require the use of earned vacation to perform military service and USERRA only requires your employer to provide unpaid leave of absence.

For more information contact 1-800-336-4590 or www.esgr.mil