Top Five Ways an Employer can Recognize Veteran Employees

Veterans day is just around the corner. Schools will host assemblies, towns will cater breakfasts, cities will organize parades, the government will give folks the day off to honor and thank Veterans for their service to our nation...but what about businesses? The success of your business is only possible because of the sacrifice so many brave men and women have endured. While every Vet appreciates the recognition a “Thank you for your service” handshake provides, consider giving a little more this month to show you truly understand the significance of their duty.

Are you part of a small company? If you employ a Veteran, send a card around the office (virtual works too, see below for links to services that can provide video and print greetings) for your team members to ‘sign.’ This gives everyone the opportunity to express personalized messages that go deeper than just a “Thank You” and gives the Veteran a keepsake to remind them that they are appreciated throughout the year, not just on November 11th.

Part of a larger organization? Gather your Veterans for a group photo and have it framed with a large matte for other employees to write messages. Once the matte is filled with sentiments of gratitude, hang the piece in a central location. Consider making copies of the custom memento for each Veteran included in the picture.

Give your Veterans the gift of time with their families. One of the biggest sacrifices Service Members make is time spent with loved ones. Missed holidays, birthdays (even the very first one), graduations...everyday interactions that the rest of us take for granted are lost during long deployments and training missions. Offering your Veteran employees an extra day of paid time-off (in addition to Veterans Day) gives back a tiny piece of what they lost fighting for what we enjoy every day. Providing gift cards for local restaurants or entertainment establishments (i.e. theaters, bowling alleys, go-kart racing, hobby shops, spas, etc.) to use on their bonus day off would also go a long way in helping Veterans feel acknowledged.

Host a brunch, lunch or guest speaker and ask Veterans to invite their family members to attend the event. A Veteran is never alone in his or her service. Mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters - many people sacrificed for a Veteran. Honor them all with a meal and a magic show, dessert and a comedic performance, snacks and a children’s theater production, anything that incorporates the family and gives them more time together.

Inspire a Veteran. Hand out blank business cards or small index cards and ask employees to choose a quote from their favorite book, movie, song - anything that makes them feel inspired - and write it down for the Vet. They can include a personalized note if they know the recipient. Present the cards in a box, collage (virtual works too) or turn them into a calendar for the Veteran to enjoy all year.

Honoring a Veteran as an organization can have a big impact on overall morale. If you are in charge, put one of the above plans into action. Is the ability to institute one of the ideas above your paygrade? Talk with your boss or HR department about how you can help your company recognize the importance of its Veterans. And if larger gestures just aren’t possible, be sure to use that handshake and heartfelt expression of thanks for all Veterans and their families that you see this month.

Group Video Creator: https://rly.pt/3C0nICi
Group Greeting Cards: https://rly.pt/3km7n54
A Combination of Video and Print Messages: https://rly.pt/3klEPbR