Techneeds’ Allison Sullivan was awarded a Patriot Award in recognition of her support of an employee’s military service. James Moody and Jack Howley presented the award on behalf of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a program of the US Department of Defense.

SGT Ryan Picard of Manchester, who works as a Recruiter out of the Salem, NH branch, nominated Sullivan for her continued support of his military obligations such as allowing a flexible schedule to accommodate time off needed for his annual training.

Moody, an ESGR volunteer, said that Patriot Award recognizes the employers’ efforts to support “Citizen Warriors” through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. ESGR strives to inform employers of the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), a federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers.

The law is intended to encourage uniformed service so that the United States can enjoy the protection of those services, staffed by qualified people, while maintaining a balance with the needs of private and public employers who also depend on these same individuals.

“The Patriot Award recognizes employers who go above and beyond the requirements of the law,” Moody said. “The NH Committee for ESGR truly appreciates the outstanding support shown for our service members. Without that support from their personal families, and their work families, too, our servicemen and women would not be able to do the great jobs that they do serving our country.”