GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.,
May 2,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer announced enhancements to
its military leave benefits for active-duty team members on
military leave today to make the transition from employment to
deployment as smooth as possible. The improvements prioritize team
members' financial stability and well-being, reflecting the
retailer's commitment to supporting those who serve.
Effective this month, Meijer is making two impactful
changes:
- Increased Differential Pay: Meijer will now offer 100
percent income replacement for up to nine months for deployed
military members who have been with the company at least one year.
Those with less than one year will receive the same percentage of
assistance for up to three months. This benefit can be utilized
multiple times throughout a team member's career with no maximum
limit.
- Extended Health Care Coverage: Meijer will extend team
members' health benefits for up to nine months after they leave for
active duty to help alleviate the stress of deployment.
"We applaud the honor, courage, and sacrifice put forth by those
who serve our country, as well as that of their families," said
Michelle Hall, Senior Vice President
& Chief Human Resource Officer. "But we know supporting our
military team members goes beyond recognizing their service. It's
about being there for them with resources while they're on the job
and lessening stress and barriers through enhanced benefits when
they are called to serve."
Jeremiah Hernandez served in the
U.S. Army from 2001-2011, and was stationed in Texas, South
Carolina, Missouri, and
Iraq. There he learned how to
lead, adapt, and overcome difficult situations, which has served
him well as a Store Director for the Knapp's Corner Meijer store in
Grand Rapids. He's proud to work
for a company committed to bettering the lives of its team members,
including those who have and continue to serve.
"I knew it was the right decision to come to Meijer," Hernandez
said. "Meijer has a long history of showing appreciation and
gratitude, and these enhanced benefits improve on an already great
track record that makes Meijer a great place for veterans to work.
These benefits will help alleviate the financial and emotional
strain deployment can cause. This commitment ensures our team
members can focus on serving their country without added concern
about their loved ones' basic well-being at home."
Garret Duke said he also
appreciates the investment Meijer is making in its military team
members.
"I have been serving for over 23 years. It's a lot to balance a
career at Meijer and balance life in the military at the same
time," said Duke, Company First Sergeant in the Michigan Army
National Guard, and a Store Support Specialist at Meijer. "These
benefits will help alleviate stressors that our service members may
have. If I was to deploy, especially to a potentially dangerous
environment, it would give me peace of mind and less stress over
financials while leaving my family for an extended period of
time."
The retailer's dedication to veterans and active military
members extends beyond its benefits. Meijer actively supports
veterans' groups and veteran-affiliated nonprofits across its
Midwest footprint. In 2020, Meijer launched mVets, a Team Member
Resource Group, to help attract, develop, and retain members of the
armed forces and their families as team members and customers.
"We continue to seek meaningful ways to show our deepest
gratitude to service members," said Jim
Keuvelaar, a Meijer supply chain project manager and member
of the mVets Board. "Meijer recognizes the immense sacrifices made
by these individuals and their families and knows improvements to
our military leave benefits offer them the peace of mind they
deserve."
In 2022, Meijer was recognized as the first retailer to earn the
Gold-level status as a Veteran-Friendly Employer (VFE) from the
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for its commitment to hiring,
retaining, and supporting military veterans. Today, more than 1,000
Meijer team members self-report their veteran status.
For those interested in more information on Meijer benefits,
please visit jobs.meijer.com.
About Meijer: Meijer is a privately owned,
family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500
supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express
locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop
shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to
deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping
experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality
apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and
services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to
Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to
strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company
can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com.
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SOURCE Meijer