Bob,

 

When I got this information on Sears it was started but nobody finalized the checks. I ran it through the Urban Legend website and found it to be true. I also found two different lists of companies that do the same thing for their employees who are called up in the reserves/guard.

 

I really don't know how you want to put this information out but these folks need an "Attaboy" of some kind.  

Lonnie

 

***********************

 

Verified at: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp

 

Although many employers look favorably on military service and even encourage it, there are some who find it burdensome to have an employee who spends time away from the job. Military reservists pose a particular challenge to employers because they're subject to recall to active duty at any time -- call-ups to active service during times of war may not occur often, but active duty recalls can occur even during peacetime, and nearly every reservist has to take occasional leave from his regular job for monthly drills and annual training.
 

In order to provide a measure of employment security to reservists subject to active duty recall and minimize the disadvantages that occur when reservists need to be absent from their civilian employment to serve in the uniformed services, the United States enacted the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) in 1994. Codified in Chapter 43, Part III, Title 38 of the United States Code, this act mandates that "any person whose absence from a position of employment is necessitated by reason of service in the uniformed services shall be entitled to reemployment rights and benefits."

 

Of course, reservists give up more than just their jobs when they're called up for active duty. Although the law may require that their former positions be waiting for them when they return, many reservists still have to deal with the financial hardships of the difference in pay between their civilian jobs and their military positions; as well, other job benefits they may lose out on while on active duty (such as medical insurance coverage or participation in employer bonus plans) are not guaranteed to them. Some employers voluntarily go the extra mile for their reservist employees, making up the difference between their regular pay and their military pay while they're on active duty and ensuring that all employer-sponsored benefits associated with their jobs remain in force.

 

Sears is indeed one of the employers who take additional steps to show support for employees involved in serving their country by guaranteeing the continuance of their civilian pay and benefits. Many other companies -- large and small -- do the same for their workers, but as one of the nation's oldest and largest employers, Sears gets the publicity for setting a prominent example.

 

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: SEARS....

Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 16:05:13 EDT

 

 

 

Subject: Sears and the military

 

Assume you have all seen the reports about how Sears is treating its

reservist employees who are called up? 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...

 

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all

benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up

reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an

exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.

 

Suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why

we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well

deserves. Pass it on.

 

******************

 

Someone who received this decided to check it out before forwarding and sent

the following email to the Sears Customer Service Department:

 

I received this email and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the

Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your

store. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of

another store for a like item even if it was cheaper at the other store.

 

Here is their answer to that email......................

 

Dear Customer,

 

Thank you for contacting Sears. The information is factual. We appreciate

your positive feedback. Sears regards service to our country as one of

greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do

our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

 

Bill Thorn webcenter@sears.com <mailto:webcenter@sears.com>

1-800-349-4358

 

*********************

 Employers Make Extra Efforts in Support of Guard, Reserve Employees

( Extracted from:  http://www.esgr.org/

Many employers have recently expanded their pay differential and medical coverage policies for Reserve and National Guard members called to active duty. The employers listed below have gone above and beyond the requirements of the law in support of their National Guard and Reserve employees.

If you feel that your organization has done more than the law's requirement in support of our troops and should be part of this list, please fill out this form. If you have already registered and need to update your benefits information, please send a message to outstandingemployers@esgr.org.