Office Depot to Sign "5-Star" Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve
Frank P. Scruggs, Jr., Executive Vice President of Human Reources will sign a "5-Star" Statement of Suppport for the National Guard and Reserve.
Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) April 23, 2005
The National Guard and Reserve announced today that Office Depot (NYSE:ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, will sign a “5-Star” Statement of Support demonstrating the company’s commitment to its employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
The announcement was made by David Bludworth, State Chair of the Florida Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, an agency of the Department of Defense, and noted that Frank P. Scruggs, Jr., Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Office Depot will attend the signing ceremony on April 28 in Fort Lauderdale.
The special signing ceremony, which will be held at the Pier 66 Hyatt Resort at 7:30am, is in conjunction with the McDonaldÂ’s National Salute to AmericaÂ’s Heroes.
The “5-Star” Statement of Support confirms that Office Depot:
Signed a statement publicly demonstrating its support for employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve; Reviewed its Human Resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA); Promotes training for managers and supervisors to effectively manage its employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve; Adopted polices and programs that are “Above and Beyond” what is required by the USERRA Law; and Is an advocate for employee service in the National Guard and Reserve and will help to promote the mission of ESGR.
“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all Florida employers to review and amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA),” Bludworth said. “Many Florida employers, including Office Depot, provide ‘Above and Beyond’ support with programs, such as pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, both of which compliment coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized.”
Office Depot is joining a cadre of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of American employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces, Bob Hollingsworth, ESGR Executive Director noted. “By signing the ‘5-Star’ Statement of Support, Office Depot is sending a clear message to its associates that they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs while they are serving their country.”
“Office Depot is deeply grateful to all of the women and men of the Armed Services, including those who serve in the National Guard and Reserve,” Scruggs said. “By this ‘5 Star Statement of Support,’ Office Depot provides job security for the people who volunteer to protect our freedom. We look forward to their safe return from armed conflict.”
With annual sales approaching $14 billion, Office Depot provides more office products and services to more customers in more countries than any other company. Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, Office Depot conducts business in 23 countries and employs 47,000 people worldwide. The Company operates under the Office Depot®, Viking Office Products®, Viking Direct®, Guilbert®, and Tech Depot® brand names.
Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel - from retail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. With $3.1 billion in online sales in FYÂ’04, the Company is the worldÂ’s number three Internet retailer. As of March 26, 2005, Office Depot has 995 retail stores in North America in addition to a national business-to-business delivery network supported by 22 delivery centers and more than 60 local sales offices. Internationally, the Company conducts wholly-owned operations in 14 countries through 77 retail stores and 26 distribution centers, and operates 153 retail stores under joint venture and license arrangements in another seven countries.
The companyÂ’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index. Additional press information can be found at: http://mediarelations. officedepot. com (http://mediarelations. officedepot. com).
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of AmericaÂ’s Patriots. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www. esgr. mil, or by calling Tom Bullock the National Committee Office at 800-336-4590.
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