Statistically you probably already have a military veteran on staff, and there are many reasons to hire veterans if you haven’t already, especially within the trades. With this in mind ahead of Veterans Day, take a moment to ensure you recognize your employee veterans appropriately. Recognition should not be a token gesture; no recognition is better than anything half-hearted. With that in mind, here are seven ways portable restroom operators can meaningfully recognize and support veterans year-round.
- Respect that not everyone may want public or individual recognition. Unsure about what level of recognition employee veterans are comfortable with? Ask and respect their answers. Keep recognition general, for example:
- If honoring individuals in the workplace, consider a Wall of Honor with photos of every employee veteran. Encourage civilian employees to hang pictures of relatives who served as well.
- Start a daily flag ceremony, encourage all employees to learn proper flag etiquette, and carry the practice through the year.
- Allow time off for employees to attend local Veterans Service Organization or school-based Veterans Day programs. If veteran employees must be in the office on Veterans Day, offer them a floating holiday, if you can.
- Check that your Employee Assistance Program includes veteran-focused programs and access to mental health care services. If you do not offer an EAP, can you create an employee mentorship program for veterans? The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a free Veterans Employment Toolkit with multiple resources for employers to improve their veterans services.
- If you have members of the Guard or Reserves on staff, join the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve office. Post the ESGR’s Statement of Support pledge and encourage nonveteran employees to learn more and join in an officewide commitment to its principles.
- Attend or host a Veterans Career Fair. VA for Vets provides resources for employers and employees and regularly hosts career fairs nationwide in-person and online.
- Support local veterans events and organizations, and consider adopting a particular VSO as a pet cause. Sponsor the VSO’s events and encourage civilian employees to volunteer too.
- Create a supportive environment. Don’t only offer free coffee and donuts on Veterans Day, seek direct feedback from veteran employees and practice active listening.
- Say thank you, directly and personally. And encourage all employees to do the same.
Of course, you can always fall back on the old office cake to mark Veterans Day, but let’s put real grist in the mill this year and make Veterans Day, and every day, meaningful for your veteran employees. They’ve more than earned it.
