>>> Veterans Military Spouses Share Stories of Their Supportive Employers A
fter the Department of Defense’s Em- ployer Support of the Guard and Re-
serve (ESGR) program expanded its Patri- ot Award for supportive employers of Guard and Reserve members to include the employers of their spouses, nominations poured in from around the country. Employers have no legal obligation to provide military spouses with unique sup- port as they do with Guard and Reserve members, but spouses share the challenges of military service. Spouses must rearrange childcare, household chores, and work schedules, all while enduring the absence of their loved ones.
Johnson and Johnson rallied around
Kimberly Marcopul, a mother of three from Pennsylvania, when her Army Re- servist husband deployed to Kuwait for a year. Kimberly’s supervisor allowed her to take a week’s vacation to spend time with her family before her husband was de- ployed, as well as a second week of vaca- tion just before he left the country. Her su- pervisor also allowed her to work remotely whenever her children needed her at home. Her officemates also developed a schedule for preparing dinners for Kimberly and her family. Says Kimberly. “I am really trying to focus on making the kids’ lives as nor-
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mal as possible with their dad gone, and am so grateful for my employer’s support.” HealthPro Management supported
Danielle Kaloudis, a military spouse from Spencer, Massachusetts. Danielle’s boss and two others asked if they could donate some of their vacation time to Danielle over the holidays when her husband was on leave, as Danielle hadn’t yet accrued much leave. Danielle spent five days with her husband, and when he returned to duty, her boss donated another 16 hr so Danielle could ready the kids and house for his ab- sence. “My husband brought home a flag from Afghanistan for my boss to show his appreciation,” says Danielle. Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
held up Michelle Blacker of Idaho Falls, Idaho when she was separated from her husband for nearly a year and a half. Mi- chelle’s supervisor arranged for her to tele- commute while her husband attended basic officer training. INL even flew Michelle back to Idaho every six weeks. Later, while her husband was deployed, Michelle gave birth to their premature child. “My boss said, ‘Take all the time you need, we un- derstand.’” Michelle says, “I will never forget what they have done for me. I am truly grateful.”
Employer Support of the Guard and Re-
serve is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 to develop and main- tain employer support for Guard and Re- serve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging employ- ment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective
and
proven leadership to the civilian work- force. For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit
www.ESGR.mil.
The Black EOE Journal
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