How Sears Treats its Military Employees

[Hitchhiker]

Sears - Christmas shopping has already started

Some folks may need this reminder since Sears isn't always your first choice for your shopping needs. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn't withdrawn from their commitment. Maybe we each could buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? 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.

Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. We all shop at Sears, be sure to find a manager and tell them why you are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

Disclaimer: It's checked out at Snopes.com and other than being a retired Sears executive, I have no financial ties to Sears any longer. All my shares have been liquidated several years ago and rolled into an IRA.

[Hitchhiker]

Sears - Christmas shopping has already started

Some folks may need this reminder since Sears isn't always your first choice for your shopping needs. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn't withdrawn from their commitment. Maybe we each could buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? 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.

Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. We all shop at Sears, be sure to find a manager and tell them why you are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

Disclaimer: It's checked out at Snopes.com and other than being a retired Sears executive, I have no financial ties to Sears any longer. All my shares have been liquidated several years ago and rolled into an IRA.

[SeeTheUSA]

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), from which I am a retired officer, is doing the same thing. The company was also recently named the Number One Military-Friendly employer by G. I. Jobs magazine. See article here:

http://www.bnsf.com/employees/communications/bnsf_today...11/2007-11-08-a.html


I sure hope there are many more companies doing the right thing!

Warren
(also a USN veteran)

[NLOVNIT]

I first heard of Sears Roebuck doing this back in July of 2004. As a daugher of a WWII vet who was a Sears employee for over 35 years, I then wrote their customer service dept. a letter thanking them for their support of our troops. Below is copy clipped their response back to me:

"Dear Ms. Stewart,

Thank you for taking the time to let us know of your support for our actions regarding our associates who have been called into active duty.

As you may have read, Sears has extended its program of military pay differential to 36 months. This includes allowing Sears reservists who are full-time employees to continue participating in the company's life insurance, medical and dental programs, if they choose. The company will also hold a comparable position for these individuals for up to five years.

Sears has a heritage of commitment to families and home. This is a difficult time for military families, and we are proud to be able to take these actions to demonstrate support for our many co-workers who are serving our Nation.

Again, thank you for your correspondence. We appreciate your interest in our efforts, and hope you will continue to make Sears your choice for quality and value. Sears, Good Life. Great Price.

Sincerely,
The Employees of Sears, Roebuck and Co."

L-

[MonacoMama]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Some folks may need this reminder since Sears isn't always your first choice for your shopping needs. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn't withdrawn from their commitment. Maybe we each could buy at least one thing at Sears this year? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well...this info has changed my outlook on the Sears-Roebuck Co. I promise to let them know anytime I buy something ..that it is because of this policy.
Thanks for passing along this information!

[Ray,IN]

Sears appears to be going well beyond the scope of the law. The minimum is, they must provide comparable employment upon their return, including any raises they would have received. It doesn't have to be the exact same job.
Some of the horror stories I've seen about re-employment should be(and probably is) a crime.
We plan on some Christmas shopping there next week.

[paz]

For those of us who are wanting to support Sears, don't forget they also own K-Mart.

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">For those of us who are wanting to support Sears, don't forget they also own K-Mart. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually K-Mart owns Sears, I believe.

Sure seems like it should be the other way around.

[Ecker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Route 66:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">For those of us who are wanting to support Sears, don't forget they also own K-Mart. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually K-Mart owns Sears, I believe.

Sure seems like it should be the other way around. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
-----------------------------------------------
No Dirk they are both owned by Sears Holdings Inc which is the investment vehicle of Eddie Lampert

[Hitchhiker]

Leo is right, Sears Holdings Corporation owns both.

[paz]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by paz:
For those of us who are wanting to support Sears, don't forget they also own K-Mart. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Didn't mean to start a debate. Just intended to say supporting both reinforces their positive policy toward military employees.

[Kazoo Tom]

Sears is exemplary in their support. Now that K-Mart is under the same umbrella I hope that support goes out to K-Mart employees too.

[Denny Day]

Keep in mind there are companies out there that only do what they must to meet the law, anything more they take it out on ALL GI's
Starbucks is one and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream is another, they don't like the war (most of us don't) but will NOT support the troops in any way as a protest.

Denny

[Kablewizard]

Cheri and I shop there for major things and will stop in for some Christmas shoping.

Thanks for the info Richard.