For Immediate Release
Contacts: Rebecca Coady (515) 334-2757
Kerry Koonce (515) 281-9646
Printer Friendly PDF VersionDes Moines Area Employers Invited to Learn How to Support Military Employees and Returning Veterans
DES MOINES, IOWA – Des Moines area employers will have an opportunity to learn how to work effectively with military employees in the workplace and how to support returning veterans at a “Lunch & Learn” session on Thursday, February 7, 2008. This “Lunch & Learn” session is hosted by Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
Titled “Military in the Workplace: What Employers Should Know About Returning Military Veterans,” the Lunch & Learn session begins with registration at 11:30 a.m. Presentations will begin at 11:45 a.m. and conclude by 1:30 p.m. The event will be held at Iowa Health Systems Thompson Conference Room, 1200 Pleasant St. in Des Moines. The event is free and lunch is provided courtesy of ESGR.
“The USERRA law protects the civilian jobs of military employees, but there are steps that must be taken by both employers and military employees to comply with the law,” said Dave Campbell, Iowa ESGR volunteer. “In our experience, employers are eager to support their military employees, if they understand how. In fact, most of them go above and beyond the law. These Lunch & Learn sessions help ensure everyone is informed.”
Speakers at the event will include: Dave Campbell, Iowa Committee of ESGR Volunteer who will explain the ESGR mission and goals and why employer support is so vital; Dr. Steve Hagemoser, Veteran’s Center, who will provide details on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and what employers can do for returning service members; Major Philip Farr, Military employee who will share the challenges returning military employees face, and Tony Smithart, Department of Labor who will review the USERRA law, including employer and employee responsibilities.
Employers may RSVP to Iowa Committee for ESGR, Becky Coady, 7016 NW 70th St., Johnston, IA 50131, by phone at: (800) 294-6607 ext. 2757, FAX at: (515) 252-4519, or by e-mail at Rebecca.coady@us.army.mil.
ESGR is a Department of Defense agency tasked with gaining and maintaining employer support for those who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR achieves this mission by providing educational, consulting and mediation services to current and potential employers of Guard and Reserve members.