September 29, 2008

On September 18, Austin (TX) and Mayor Will Wynn were honored as a recipient of the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in the Public Sector category. The city has previously been honored with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s Patriot Award and the Above and Beyond Award. The city’s policies provide differential pay to activated employees of the Guard and Reserve for up to 15 months as well as 15 days paid military leave annually for military schooling or exercise.

An aggressive program was instated by the city to train all senior leaders and supervisors on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act USERRA and city policies annually. Recently, the city extended its resources by creating a position that is dedicated to ensuring service members are processed back into the employment sector upon return from deployment. Prior to returning from active duty, employee supervisors begin a process of updating the service member with information to assist with reintegration, including counseling the employee on special training that may be required and restoring the service member’s credentials.

The city openly posts job announcements on a number of military job bank web sites including “Partners Across Texas,” a site specifically designed for Guard and Reserve members, and works closely with the Texas Veterans Commission and the Texas WorkSource Career Center’s military veteran representative.

Supervisors and co-workers are in frequent contact with deployed employees and their families conveying their support. Departments conduct “send off” and “welcome back” ceremonies for mobilized and returning employees and departmental supervisors assist families with various home and vehicular maintenance projects.

In 2007, the city contracted with several organizations to provide services and programs to families including counseling for psychological and emotional issues, assistance with managing personal finances, rebuilding personal relationships, referrals to specific support groups and the city’s employee assistance program.