Mr. Thomas Wessels, Chairman of the Georgia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (GA ESGR) Committee, an agency of the Department of Defense, announced Mayor Shirley Franklin, on behalf of the City of Atlanta, will sign a “5-Star” Statement of Support for the Georgia National Guard and Reserve and receive an award recognizing the City of Atlanta as a “Five-Star Employer” at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 2, 2007 at the City Hall 2nd Floor Media Area, 55 Trinity Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303.
The “5-Star” Statement of Support confirms the City of Atlanta:
- Supports its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
- Reviewed its Human Resources policies to ensure compliance with Uniformed Services Employment and
- Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA).
- Promotes training for managers and supervisors to effectively manage its employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- Adopted polices and programs that are “Above and Beyond” what is required by the USERRA Law.
- Is an advocate for employee service in the National Guard and Reserve and will help to promote the mission of ESGR.
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all employers to review and amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA)”, said Wessels.
“The City of Atlanta is proud to have employees who serve the city and their country by their unselfish service to the National Guard and Reserve,” said Mayor Franklin. “As a city government that is working to be an employer of choice and a best-in-class managed organization, we can never thank our employees enough for their dual duty but we hope that the policies and compensation we provide beyond the letter of the law are evidence of our support and gratitude of their service.”
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve as defined by demonstrated employer commitment to military service. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
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For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26.