Earlier this year, an email was circulating around the internet regarding Sears and how they were standing by their employees who were called to duty in Iraq. Perhaps you saw it... perhaps you've since forgotten. The email generally said the following:
Fwd: Good News !!!!!! SHOP AT SEARS
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.
A friend of mine, not certain whether this was true (or whether it was still in effect), sent the following email to Sears today:
Is there any truth to this email? I am ex military and was in the national guard. I would love to forward this on but want to know if there is any truth to it before I do so. Thanks in advance.
Keith
Their reply was short, but to the point:
Thank you for contacting Sears.
The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback. Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.
Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358
He then recieved a follow-up email that, though it contains more information, is a little more personal:
Thank you for taking the time to let us know of your support for our actions regarding our associates who have been called into active duty. We thought our actions were simply the right thing to do, so we have been pleasantly surprised by the tremendous surge of support from you and so many other Americans.
Yes, Sears has extended its program of military pay differential to 24 months. This includes allowing Sears reservists who are full-time employees to continue participating in the company's life insurance, medical and dental programs, if they choose. The company will also hold a comparable position for these individuals for up to five years.
This is not an unusual policy change for Sears. We have extended the pay differential many times in the past, including for Operation Desert Storm and, more recently, for reservists called to serve in Croatia.
Sears has a heritage of commitment to families and home. This is a difficult time for military families, and we are proud to be able to take these actions to demonstrate support for our many co-workers who are serving our Nation.
According to an organisation called Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Sears is not alone in going above and beyond in their support of our troops. Their website contains a page called "Outstanding Employers" which lists companies who are doing more than the law requires for their employees who've been called to duty. The list can be found at http://www.esgr.org/employers/outstandingEmployers.asp.
I know that Sears and the other companies on that list are getting my business when I do my Christmas shopping this year. But how does one "support" companies like DH Griffin (a wrecking company)? Have someone's house torn down for Christmas, maybe?
Err... What's Ted Kennedy's address, again?
