The Wounded Warrior Project recently shared practical ways a business can support the veterans in their workforce and demonstrate their appreciation for the veteran’s service and commitment.
Here are the Wounded Warrior Project’s suggestions:
- Recognize military service by dedicating time to acknowledge and appreciate the service of veteran employees; during appropriate holidays, consider providing breakfast or lunch to celebrate veteran employees’ contributions in the service and to the business.
- Create a veteran resource group or veteran mentorship program which can help these employees better manage the unique challenges they face acclimating to the civilian workplace.
- Create a supportive environment where employees can better learn about their veteran colleagues’ experiences – e.g. share profiles of veteran employees on internal communications platforms.
- Offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and mental health resources to ensure that veteran employees are aware of, and can access, EAPs, especially during holidays, when veterans’ mental health issues can be exacerbated.
- “Adopt” a veteran family in need by giving presents or holiday meals to a veteran family you know in your community or workplace. TheVeteran.com Community also has a list of organizations that do this.
- Create a patriotic workplace during appropriate holidays; encourage employees to add a patriotic touch to their workspace.
- Observe a moment of silence whereby employees take a couple of minutes to honor service members and veterans, especially around holidays such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
- Offer volunteer opportunities to veterans so they can join in with their fellow employees on group initiatives.
For more information and detail about these specific ideas, visit The Wounded Warrior Project newsroom.
If you know a veteran who could benefit from the free programs and services of the Wounded Warrior Project, encourage them to visit the WWP Resource Center.
