Mayo nominated for Employer Support Freedom Award

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Mayo Regional Hospital has been nominated for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, in recognition of exemplary support of its National Guard and Reserve employees.

    The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their support of Guard and Reserve employees. Mayo was nominated by the Maine state committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency.
    State ESGR committees will submit nominated employers to the next round in the three categories of small employer, large employer and the public sector. A national selection committee comprised of senior Department of Defense officials, business leaders and prior awardees then selects up to 15 employers nationally to receive the Secretary’s prestigious award. Since the Freedom Award was instituted in 1996, 175 employers have been honored at annual ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
    In addition to being nominated for the Freedom Award, Mayo Regional has received the Above and Beyond Award from ESGR for outstanding service and continuing support to the national defense. This award recognizes local employers who have gone beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Examples of an employer providing above and beyond support include providing full pay to offset the loss of wages when a service member is mobilized to active duty, a step that Mayo has taken.
    The Above and Beyond Award is limited to employers who have had at least one leader receive a Patriot Award, and who have signed a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve.
    Edward J. Hannon, Mayo’s President and CEO, received the Patriot Award in February from the ESGR.
    Hannon was recognized for supporting employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve force.