Analyst Reports
August 22nd, 2016 – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced today that Fred Guelen and John Miller of Planon were both honored with a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees who serve in the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve.
It’s always been important for me to actively support those who wish to serve their country, especially having served in the military for the Netherlands in my early twenties,” said Fred Guelen, CFO and President of North American operations for Planon. “It’s an honor to receive an award that highlights Planon’s support of the hardworking men and women like Luting Neves who have also made it their duty to serve and protect their country.”
The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees. Guelen and Miller were nominated for being highly supportive of Luting Neves and her service in the National Guard.
“As a part-time member of the MA ANG, there are many required military training courses I must attend, which means I need flexibility from my Planon coworkers,” said Luting Neves, who works in Planon’s Finance and HR departments. “I nominated both Fred and John for this award because they have made me feel supported since day one. They’ve made it easier for me to balance my job at Planon with my service in the National Guard.”
Planon also signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Friday the fifth of August. The Statement of Support confirms that Planon joins other employers in pledging that:
- We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
- Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
- We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.
“By signing the Statement of Support Planon is sending a clear message to their employees that while they are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs,” said Earl Bonett, ESGR Massachusetts Chair.