HORSHAM, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, is honored to announce that TeleTracking Technologies is a national recipient of the 2022 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award in the small business category. The 15 national finalists include small, large private and public sector employers, nominated by a National Guard or Reserve employee in their organization. ESGR received 2,777 nominations for this prestigious award for employers throughout the 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and District of Columbia.
The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the Department of Defense to employers for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve members. On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, ESGR has presented the honor to only 325 employers since 1996. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present TeleTracking Technologies with the Freedom Award on behalf of the Secretary of Defense for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces during ESGR’s 50th Anniversary year.
The Department of Defense announced the 15 employers selected to receive the 2022 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award July 29th. TeleTracking will be honored in a ceremony hosted by Pennsylvania State Chair Marty Kuhar at a future date at their corporate office in Pittsburgh.
U.S. Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Richard Rock nominated the TeleTracking Technologies for the Freedom Award for their outstanding support of his military career. In his nomination, Rock stated in part: “TeleTracking is a shining beacon for military support! … The company fully supports all Guard and Reserve service members.” According to Rock, the company’s compensation program for citizen soldiers is exceptional; they pay full salary for military schools, annual and special training, and they offer up to a half year’s salary during extended deployment periods; Rock added: “During my last deployment I stopped working a few months before leaving and I never lost my benefits, I even maintained them while overseas.” Rock also observed that TeleTracking has numerous Guard and Reserve members across many of its departments and along with service veterans, many serve as department directors or managers.
TeleTracking Technologies nomination for the Freedom Award was highly endorsed by Kuhar who stated: “TeleTracking has been a huge supporter of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve, receiving six awards from ESGR over the last seven years, including the Extraordinary Employer Support award! The company provides significant recognition to their military employees by highlighting their service and accomplishments on their corporate website, celebrations of their employees’ military service on Veterans Day led by their CEO, and by consistent support of the local Pittsburgh Wounded Warriors charity. In addition, they actively recruit veterans for leadership positions.”
With respect to deployments of Guard and Reserve members, Kuhar said: “TeleTracking tracks all employees when mobilized and reaches out to them with cards and emails to let them know they are missed, supported, and their service is greatly appreciated. The company helps the families of their service members through a Company Family Wellness program that addresses any family needs when their military member is mobilized. They also regularly send cards and flowers during special occasions, and even take families to dinner so they know the company has their back!”
In addition to constant communications with service members and caring for their families, Kuhar noted: “TeleTracking has an extremely generous military leave pay policy. They continue regular pay in addition to the service member’s military pay for up to the first six months of extended training or deployment! Targeted bonuses opportunities are also extended while the employees are away on military duty. They extend all benefits for the duration of deployment as well! TeleTracking values the leadership and professionalism the military teaches their troops and have made hiring Guard and Reserve members a priority. The company provides financial support to several military charities in the Pittsburgh area and organizing company events that attract outside support for the military services.”
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. Information about the 2022 Freedom Award can be found at https://www.freedomaward.mil/