Wicomico County To Be Awarded The ESGR Above And Beyond Award

Wicomico County Recreation and Parks to be Honored by Department of Defense for Extraordinary Support of Employees Serving in the Guard and Reserve

(Salisbury, MD) The Maryland Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (MD ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, announced today that Wicomico County Government will be honored with an “Above and Beyond” award in recognition of their extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve at a ceremony held at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center on 28 Feb 2012.

According to George L. Doetsch Jr, Maryland ESGR Chair, “The ESGR ‘Above and Beyond’ Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize American employers providing extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

Wicomico County joins with thousands of American employers who have reviewed and amended their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Many employers provide “Above and Beyond” support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits which complement coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized.

County Executive Rick Pollitt, Jr. will accept the award on behalf of Wicomico County. Also recognized at the ceremony with a Patriotic Employer Award will be Wicomico County Department of Recreation and Parks.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.