PHILADELPHIA – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that a Comcast supervisor recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.
Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.
Comcast Director of Software Development and Engineering Paula Bobish was nominated for the Patriot Award by Capt. James Newlin who is a company commander in the 238th Aviation Regiment of the Delaware Army National Guard.
In nominating Bobish, Newlin stated: “Ms. Bobish is the most military supportive supervisor I have ever worked for. She supports my commitment to the Delaware Army National Guard. She also supports my involvement in military events and encourages my work with Comcast's Military Employee Resource Group.” Capt. Newlin also believes that Bobish’s support of his military career is attributable to her being part of a military family and how she values the experience employees with military service bring to the workplace.”
The Patriot Award was presented to Bobish via a Zoom teleconferencing session, as she works from her home in Florida. Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was Pennsylvania Southeast Area volunteer Angela Heverling; the award will be mailed to Bobish.
Heverling commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Heverling said: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.”
Heverling added: “Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all Southeast Pennsylvania employers to look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.”
Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.
ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, a global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA
Photo (L–R): Capt. Newlin, Patriot Award recipient Bobish, Bobish’s husband Dan, and ESGR Southeast Volunteer Heverling.