SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Sgt. Auston Spude presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriotic Employer Award to his supervisor Zachary Yarger. The Patriotic Employer Award was presented at Cintas company headquarters in Saint Paul recently.

Spude expressed his thanks for the continued support that his supervisor and the company provides regarding his Guard duties. Yarger commented that there is a culture within Cintas Corp. to support their employees that are active Guard and Reserve members.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Military Reserve, or the spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the Patriotic Employer Award for support provided directly to the nominating Servicemember and his or her family. The Patriotic Employer Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

In addition to receiving a Patriotic Employer Award, Mr. Yarger of Cintas signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging:

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

Also present was Bob Gagne an ESGR Minnesota Committee member. ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

Photo left to right: Supervisor Zachary Yarger, Sgt. Austin Spude and ESGR Volunteer Bob Gagne.