MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Central State Door Services MINER recently signed a Statement of Support signifying their support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units. Jim Astor, ESGR South-Central Area Chair, obtained the Statement of Support from Operations Manager Chad Nardi who stated: “the company recognizes the value, leadership and unique skills of military veterans as well as Guard and Reserve service members, and the company has recently initiated a program to actively recruit Guard and Reserve service members.” Nardi indicate that these corporate beliefs in the core values and work ethic of those serving in the Reserve forces are the reason they hired Seaman Recruit Garrett Haubert, a Navy Reservist serving at the Harrisburg Navy Reserve Center. 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. Central State Door Services MINER joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Astor added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Central State Door Services MINER 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.” “Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Astor. “I am asking all South–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 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.” 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, a 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): Operations Manager Nardi and ESGR’s South–Central Area Chair