Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Article

This organization works with employers of mobilized reservists and guard members to keep employers informed.

Employer Support Vital to Army Reserve, National Guard

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 19, 2001) —As reservists mobilize and say farewell to their bosses, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve offers guidance to those employers who are losing workers.

ESGR is a Department of Defense organization located in Arlington, Virginia. It is made up of 35 full-time soldiers, sailors, Marines and Air Force personnel, and has more than 4,500 volunteers nationwide.

ESGR’s primary mission is to serve as a liaison between the military and the business community by getting timely, relevant and clear information out to employers, said officials. Since the Sept. 11 attack on the nation, ESGR’s website, www.ESGR.org, has increased from 6,000 visitors a week to more than 40,000.

Along with talking to employers, ESGR officials answer media inquiries.
A reporter from the New York Times recently called, wanting to know how are employers reacting to the nationwide call-ups, said Maj. Hunt Kerrigan, ESGR’s public affairs officer.

“ They are patriots,” Kerrigan said referring to employers. “I also talked about the avalanche of calls we are getting from employers who want to know how to better support their reservists.”

“ Although employers are not obligated by law, they can make up the difference between military pay and civilian pay and keep the medical benefits coming. That’s a great way of showing support.”

“ Can employers fire their Reservists if they are called to duty?” asked an Associate Press reporter.

“ No,” Kerrigan explained, “In fact, the employer must hold jobs for their reservists and must not penalize them for their service.” Kerrigan said he added that, “Who would fire their military employees who are risking their lives to defend America?”

(Editor’s note: This story was submitted by the Public Affairs Office from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Arlington, Va.)