LAWRENCE, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program, announced today that Black Box Corporation signed a Statement of Support in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Pennsylvania’s Guard and Reserve. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to have employers like Black Box Corporation affirm strong and patriotic support of employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces during ESGR’s 50th Anniversary year.

According to Pennsylvania ESGR Southwest Area Volunteer Gordon McKay, “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.  By signing a Statement of Support, the Black Box Corporation pledges that their organization is highly supportive of the Pennsylvania National Guard and Reserves.  Supportive business leaders and supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

Black Box joins many Pennsylvania employers that express their support of service members in the Guard and Reserves. Specific points of a Statement of Support pledges that an organization adopts the following beliefs:

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
• 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.

Black Box Corporation’s Director of Talent Acquisition Heather O’Donnell signed the statement of support on behalf of the company. 

“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 Area 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.”

Black Box 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, the Black Box Corporation 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 program, 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.