Help a hero, gain a team member

Kelli Rodda

When it’s time to beef up your crew, consider actively recruiting veterans to fill those positions. The jobless rate for post-9/11 veterans hovers around 7.5 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And with help from organizations like America’s Heroes at Work, you can craft an initiative to hire more veterans.

They’ve put their lives on the line and their lives on hold to serve the United States and her citizens. Now the private sector can help repay them with steady employment and a career path.

Service members have the ability to learn new skills that can easily be applied in a civilian work environment. They can fill positions for sales, drivers, warehouse managers, logistics experts, IT personnel, customer service representatives and human resource managers, just to name a few.

Veterans possess strong leadership qualities. The military trains them to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation and inspiration in some of the toughest situations imaginable. Veterans have a strong sense of personal integrity. The military often entrusts service members with highly sensitive information. A proven track record of trustworthiness is an asset to your company.

Veterans understand and respect procedures and accountability. They understand how to properly elevate issues through the proper supervisory channels. Veterans have hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology. Imagine how that knowledge could improve your business.

Companies could save up to $4,800 per veteran hire. The primary tax credit is called the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), IRS Form 5884. Additionally, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides tax incentives for the hiring of any veteran, not just for disabled veterans or those with service-connected disabilities. Find out more from your state’s WOTC coordinator through the Department of Labor.

Once you’ve designed a strategy for hiring veterans, America’s Heroes at Work suggests creating “a welcoming and educated workplace for an easy military to civilian transition.”

Creating a welcoming environment for veterans and returning service members doesn’t take much effort, but it does take some thoughtful planning. Employers should develop an understanding of military culture and experience, establish your company and its job application process as veteran-friendly, and learn the facts about hiring veterans with “invisible wounds of war,” including traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

America’s Heroes at Work has a thorough website and supportive programs to help employers. Find more information at www.americasheroesatwork.gov.
 

If you’re planning to attend the OFA Short Course this year (July 13-16 in Columbus), come cheer me on while I play Growers Pyramid at the BASF booth #1759, July 15 at 3 p.m. I’m playing for the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), and BASF will match my winnings. It’s a fun break from the trade show floor and all for a great cause. P.S. This year’s Short Course includes nursery education tracks.