National Guard, Reserve award MU Five-Star award

The university received the award for its treatment of employees.

By Michael Sewall

Published March 6, 2007

MU is an all-star, or at least a Five-Star, when it comes to serving its employees in the National Guard and Reserve.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Defense representing the National Guard and Reserve recognized MU on Friday as a Five-Star Employer for the university's support of its employees in the Guard and Reserve.

"Essentially, today's ceremony is an affirmation of the support of the men and women who have chosen to serve their country and are a part of the MU family," said Karen Touzeau, vice chancellor for human resource services.

To obtain a Five-Star designation, employers must sign a statement supporting the Guard and Reserve, ensure that human resource policies comply with federal provisions, train managers and supervisors about federal provisions to effectively manage employees and support the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program.

"We have to demonstrate we're going above and beyond what the current law requires," Chancellor Brady Deaton said. "Mizzou's extra support comes in the form of the university's policy that pays employees for up to 100 hours of military service per each fiscal calendar year."

Touzeau said the first thing the university does when an employee goes on leave is it communicates the employee's rights to the departments.

"We want to help if there's any way to accommodate the transition," she said. "Really, the military service starts way before the training."

Deaton said the university is investigating other policies and practices that would further benefit military employees.

"I cannot express how greatly we appreciate an employer that actively supports its employees who are members of the Guard and Reserve," ESGR Program Support Specialist Steve Vanderhoof stated in a news release. "We are committed to helping our military men and women as they transition from reserves to active duty and back into university employment."

Brig. Gen. Tracy Beckette said without the support of their employees, soldiers couldn't perform daily functions.

"Without the support of the employer, these young men and women cannot perform their duties," Beckette said. "Because what it does is take the pressure off of them and worry about do they have a job when they come back."

Beckette said traits soldiers learn in the military, such as responsibility, leadership and accountability, could benefit employees and employers alike upon return.

"They bring all these things back to the workplace and make them a better and more happy employee in the long run," he said.

Pvt. Michael Wenzel returned from deployment this year to go back to work at the University Bookstore.

Wenzel said the university did a good job of taking some of the pressure away.

"When I decided to join the guard, it wasn't an easy decision," he said. "Then I went and sat down and talked with my employer, and he was very enthusiastic and wanted to know more. He showed his support at every level."

Wenzel said it was important to know he didn't have to worry about having a job when he came back.

"When I returned to work, everyone in human resources were very helpful in ensuring that my benefits and my pay was reinstated so that I didn't have any delays or hardships," Wenzel said.

At MU, 33 employees are serving with their Guard or Reserve units.

"I feel humbled when I think of the tremendous sacrifice that so many are making in defense of our country," Deaton said.