![](media/image1.png)

**For Immediate Release Date: June 29, 2006**

**Contact: Tom Bullock**

**Federal Government Praised as 'Model Employer' in Supporting its
National Guard and Reserve Employees**

**WASHINGTON --** U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao praised the
federal government as a model employer in announcing the rare occurrence
when all 16 cabinet secretaries and the heads of all 80 federal agencies
signed Statements of Support pledging to protect the jobs and benefits
of their National Guard and Reserve employees.

"America's service members who sacrifice so much for all of us, deserve
the support of employers in returning to civilian life and careers, or
in looking for new opportunities," Chao said.  "Supportive employers are
critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's
National Guard and Reserve units, and in tapping the immense potential
of our veterans. To this end, I am happy to say the federal government
has proven to be a model employer."

In October, Chao was the first non-defense cabinet secretary to sign the
Presidential Cabinet statement of support, which is an initiative of the
Defense Department's National Committee for Employer Support of the
Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR has more than 3,500 volunteers across the
country dedicated to encouraging employers support for their National
Guard and Reserve employees.

As Labor Secretary, Chao is responsible for enforcing the Uniformed
Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which ensures the
civilian jobs and benefits if National Guard and Reserve service members
while they serve on active duty. The law also prohibits employers from
discriminating against past and present members of the uniformed
services and applicants to the uniformed services.

**More**

The federal government is the largest employer of Reserve Component
members. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
(USERRA) specifically states that the "federal government shall be a
model employer." A concerted effort, begun in 2004, by Employer Support
of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), has resulted in statements of support
from all independent federal agencies as well as the entire President's
Cabinet. A special over-sized Presidential Cabinet Statement of Support
document, signed by all Cabinet Secretaries, is the first known single
document signed by an entire Presidential Cabinet in support of the
National Guard and Reserve.

Since 9/11, the nation has had the largest mobilization of
citizen-soldiers since World War II, with some 560,000 having been
called up and more than 460,000 already transitioned back to civilian
life. To ensure the economic security of those ensuring our national
security, Chao has directed numerous proactive steps to make employers
and employees aware of their rights and obligations under USERRA,
including:

-   Directing the publication of the first-ever rules for enforcing
    USERRA;

-   Having the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service
    provide USERRA briefings and technical assistance to some 340,000
    employers, employees and others; and

-   Disseminating radio and TV public service announcements.

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 the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to
perform an increasing number of unique missions that require
extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will
continue to be the informational agency for the employers of America's
new Minutemen. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and
if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. For
more information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer
opportunities, please call Tom Bullock (800-336-4590), or visit the ESGR
website at [www.esgr.mil](http://www.esgr.mil/).

**\# \# \#**