UPPER SAUCON, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Olympus Corporation of the Americas’ President, Julien Sauvagnargues recently signed an ESGR Statement of Support (SOS).

Pennsylvania ESGR’s East–Central Area Chair Joe Gentile obtained the SOS from Sauvagnargues. Upon signing the SOS, Sauvagnargues noted that tenants set forth in the SOS align with the company’s core policies of supporting those who serve our nation in the Guard and Reserve forces.

During the SOS signing, Human Resources Vice President Stacey Morey stated, “Our Human Resources policies and procedures help ensure we meet or exceed the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Other members of the corporate leadership team participating in the SOS signing included the following:
Andrew Souchet – Manager, Transformation & Operational Excellence
Shaun Matthews – Executive Director, Supply Chain
Mihai Sofronie – Global Category Director, Professional Services
Danielle Gruppo, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Human Resource Compliance
Damon McAndrew – Director of Contract Operations and Administration.

In thanking Sauvagnargues for signing the SOS, Gentile commented, “It’s critical to recognize employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Gentile 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.”

The Statement of Support confirms that the company 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 Gentile. “I am asking all East–Central 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 and offer 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.”

Olympus Corporation of the Americas joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Gentile added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Olympus Corporation of the Americas 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/PA.

Photo (L–R): Morey, Souchet, Matthews, Sofronie, Sauvagnargues, Gentile, Gruppo, and McAndrew.

Photo Courtesy of Olympus Corporation of the Americas