BreakTheChain.org
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The Supportive Side of SearsDate Added: March 28, 2003
For years, BreakTheChain.org has been cataloguing numerous chain letters that call for consumers to boycott a certain company for some action it has taken. Thus, it is refreshing to see a grassroots effort designed to reward a company rather than punish it. That it is tied to that company's support for American soldiers is even better. Shop At Sears IT IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU TREAT THE PROTECTORS OF OUR LAND. I assume you have all seen the reports about how Sears is treating its reservist employees who are called up? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up... Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves. Pass it on. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 guarantees "reemployment rights and benefits" to anybody who is forced to be absent from work to serve in the military. This basically means that they are promised a commensurate position and benefits when their service is complete. While they are serving, many reservists and their families struggle with the sharp difference between their civilian salaries and much lower military wages. Sears has long extended their benefits to active reservists above and beyond what is required by law, offering to make up the difference between active duty pay and their regular salary for 30 days. When Operation Iraqi Freedom began on March 26, 2003, Sears announced they would extend their supplementation period from 30 days to two years. In addition, they would also maintain their company share of medical, dental and life insurance benefits (the employee or his or her family must still pay the employee share to keep benefits current). Finally, Sears is also offering a 401K "make-up" plan, so that reservists will not lose their retirement benefits. Sears, Roebuck and Co.'s 110-year retail heritage makes it the most identifiable company to extend benefits to employees serving in the military reserves, but it's not the only one. The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Web site referenced below contains a listing of companies who go beyond their legal obligation to support our soldiers. References: Snopes.com, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, TruthOrFiction.com |