PITTSBURGH – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Compass Business Solutions recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Supervisor Alisa Angelo was nominated for the Patriot Award by Master Sgt. Lindsey Brent of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Win located in Coraopolis Pennsylvania.

In nominating Angelo Brent stated: “Alisa has always supported my military career. She has provided me with time off with full pay for anytime spent in military service. She is an expert in the Human Resource community and ensures her counterparts are educated on ways to support military members and the families. Alisa should be applauded for her civilian work which directly contributes to our ability to accomplish our military mission.”

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was Gordon McKay, Pennsylvania Southwest area volunteer and Awards Coordinator. McKay commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. Without employer support, it would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission.” McKay added: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

Upon accepting the Patriot Award, Angelo signed an ESGR Statement of Support confirming that Compass Business Solutions joins other employers in pledging:
• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said McKay. “I am asking all Southwest Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.”

Compass Business Solutions joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. McKay added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Compass Business Solutions is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.