Sears Goes Above and Beyond in Supporting Reservists - 4 Dec 2003
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...Apparently one of America's largest retailers is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to showing support for the nation's military reservists. A spokesman for the Sears Corporation has verified that the company is going beyond what is required by law, which says employers must hold open and available those positions vacated when their employees who are in the military reserves are called to active duty. In addition, Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits -- including medical insurance and bonus programs -- for up to two years for all its reservist employees who are called up. Responding to an e-mail inquiry from a representative of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bill Thorn -- who is assigned to Sears Customer Care -- stated the information is factual. "Sears regards service to our country as one of the greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make," Thorn wrote. "We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time." Rev. Herman Keizer, director of chaplaincy ministries with the CRC, points out that Sears is only one of many American companies that have policies extending benefits to reservists called to active duty. The Arlington, Virginia-based group Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve maintains a list of such companies that includes such notables as Dell Computers, Boeing Aerospace, General Dynamics, and Xerox. |