Recognized for being exemplary employers
Managing editor
It came out of the blue for Benny and Sheryl Key of Lincolnville. They consider themselves ordinary people, making a living at Key Convenience in Lincolnville.
For them it’s the right thing to do, working around an employee as she serves in the National Guard. This time is a little different. This time, Brianna Moffett isn’t gone for the once-a-month training for a weekend or the once-a-year training in the summer for a few weeks.
This time, she has been deployed to Kuwait for a year with the 778th Transportation Unit with the Kansas National Guard.
Moffett nominated her former employers, who are also her in-laws, for a patriot award with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a national organization that assists employers in supporting employees who serve in the military, particularly the national guards and reserve units.
“Almost half of our nation’s military strength resides in the national guard and reserve,” state executive director of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Fred Waller said as he presented the Keys with a certificate. “This wouldn’t be possible without the support of employers like you.”
They Keys own and operate a small business. Moffett was their only employee. In a community the size of Lincolnville, it was no easy feat to fill Moffett’s shoes.
“It was hard to find someone so we’re pleased to have Sharon Bina helping out,” Sheryl Key said.
The Keys said it was a pleasant surprise when they received word a few days earlier that they were the recipients of this recognition.
David Mayfield of Marion and Waller presented the certificate to the Keys.
About the patriot award
Employees serving in the National Guard or reserve may nominate their employer for this award.
Every employer nominated for the recognition is eligible for a state award, with 10 awards distributed in April. Those recipients then may qualify for a freedom award, which is national recognition.
For more information, go to http://www.esgr.org or call Mayfield at (620) 382-8814.
The law and military service
The Uniformed Services Employment and re-employment Rights Act of 1994 is the federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for members of the National Guard and reserve and their civilian employers.
The law applies to all public and private employers in the U.S. regardless of size. Employers must promptly rehire the employee and provide accumulation of seniority benefit including pension plan benefits; reinstate health insurance; provide training and retraining of job skills including accommodations for the disabled; and protect against discrimination to service members who meet the necessary criteria.
Military personnel may be deployed up to five years and retain re-employment rights with the employer.
For more information, visit the ESGR website at http://www.esgr.org.