SEARS, a rare example of goodness

[Bill]

Copy of an email i recieved, that appears to be verified.

If so, kudos to Sears!

Subject: Sears
>
>
> BE SURE AND READ THE RESPONSE FROM SEARS!
>
> I assume you have all see the reports about how Sears is treating its
> reservist employees who are called up? By law, they are required to hold
> their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a
> big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up...
>
> Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all
> benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up
> reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an
> exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.
>
> Suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them
> why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well
> deserves. Pass it on.
>
> So I decided to check it out before I sent it forward.
>
> Checked Snopes.com and copied the status:
> Claim: Sears pays the difference in salaries and maintains benefits for
> their called-up reservist employees.
> Status: True. http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp
>
> Then I sent the following email to the Sears Customer Service Department:
>
> I received this email and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the
> Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for
> your store. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears
> instead of another store for a like item even if it was cheaper at the
> other store.
>
> Here is their answer to my email......................
>
> Dear Customer:
>
> Thank you for contacting Sears.
>
> The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback. Sears
> regards service to our country as one of the greatest sacrifices our young
> men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden
> they bear at this time.
>
> Bill Thorn
> Sears Customer Care
> [email protected]
> 1-800-349-4358
>
> Please pass this on to all your friends, Sears needs to be recognized for
> this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do
> appreciate what they are doing for our military.
>
> THIS IS AMAZING AND A TRUE SIGN OF SOMETHING GOOD IN TODAY'S WORLD OF
> BUSINESS! BRAVO TO SEARS

[bigross86]

Go, Sears!!!!

[naocman]

I agree with the "go Sears" sentiment, but I was under the impression that their conduct was the conduct required of all companies by law. I thought that by law, all companies must reinstate personnel who leave for National Guard/Reserve duty to their previous job, with no loss in pay. I also thought that if they would have been promoted during the period they are gone that they are entitled to that promotion...I know that some companies do violate this law, but I thought that this was the conduct required by law. Anyone know for sure?

Btw, I don't want to take anything away from Sears...their conduct is admirable regardless of what the law says.

[Stinger]

Originally posted by naocman
I agree with the "go Sears" sentiment, but I was under the impression that their conduct was the conduct required of all companies by law. I thought that by law, all companies must reinstate personnel who leave for National Guard/Reserve duty to their previous job, with no loss in pay. I also thought that if they would have been promoted during the period they are gone that they are entitled to that promotion...I know that some companies do violate this law, but I thought that this was the conduct required by law. Anyone know for sure?

Btw, I don't want to take anything away from Sears...their conduct is admirable regardless of what the law says.

The company only has to be ready to re-employ an activated reservist in their old job, they do not have to

A. pay the difference in what the reservist would have made
B. Keep their benifits current

both of these are being done by Sears (if I'm reading it correctly)

[Bill]

You are reading correct.

SEARS is going FAR beyond the call of duty to take care of our troops.

Kudos to them.

[Trooth]

Being the old cynic that i am i suspect the marketing deparment chaired the meeting with the HR dpeartment :)

[Ironduke]

If the HR Dept. told them to do what was right, all the power to them.