Photo By Maj. Jason Sweeney | Google Senior Vice President of People Operations Laszlo Bock (left, seated) and ESGR...... read more read more
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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - When several uniformed Guard members and Reservists walked onto Google’s Mountain View, Calif., campus one afternoon in January, it was enough to make Google employees do double-takes as they pedaled past on their green, yellow and red company bicycles.
Members of the Guard and Reserve visited the campus Jan. 21 with representatives from the Defense Department’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) office for the signing of a Statement of Support by Google Senior Vice President of People Operations Laszlo Bock. The statement affirmed that Google recognizes, honors and supports the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which prohibits employer discrimination based on military service and protects reemployment rights for military members after a period of service.
During the signing ceremony, Bock told the crowd that his father had defected from communist Romania and had come to the United States in search of freedom. He told the uniformed visitors, as well as several Google employees in attendance who have served or are currently serving, that he was grateful for their service.
“It’s what all of you do, whether you are in the Guard or Reserve or on active duty, that makes everything else that happens in this country possible,” he said. “Our fundamental ideal [at Google] is we believe people should be free, but that freedom comes at a cost, which is borne by all of you.
Bock said that when Google does something, people take notice and often follow suit.
“I am delighted to be able to lend our brand, our name and our credibility, for all the good it will do, to this effort in support of the Guard and Reserve,” he said.
Bock and ESGR National Chairman Paul Mock then signed the Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.
Mock, a retired Army major general, said that signing the statement sets conditions for a friendlier environment in corporate America for Guard members and Reservists, while also helping to create a supportive culture in the employment market so that those who serve can rely on steady employment.
“That’s a huge factor as far as readiness for the individual soldier,” he said.
The event was led by Google employee Carrie Laureno who became involved in veterans issues after a service member she was close to was killed in Afghanistan.
“I wanted Google to be a place that was welcoming and caring and a warm environment for those who have worn the uniform,” Laureno said.
Laureno founded the Googler Veterans Network, a Google employee resource group for those who have served, their family members and their supporters.
Mock presented Laureno with a coin for her and Google’s efforts to assist veterans and current military members. Laureno, in turn, presented Mock with a Google coin.
Col. John Lathrop, deputy commander, California Army National Guard, represented the California National Guard at the event.
“We look forward as a Guard and Army Reserve family, and on behalf of our sister components, in working with Google to bring more work for our soldiers and airmen who have so much to offer our communities because of their skill sets,” Lathrop said.
Representatives from the California National Guard’s Work for Warriors program attended the event to promote their efforts to find employment for Guard members and Reservists.
Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Nick Tooliatos, commander of the 63rd Regional Support Command, and Army Reservist Lt. Col. William Houston, who is a Google employee, spoke at the event in support of Google’s efforts for the Guard and Reserve.
Kevin Graves, a Gold Star dad who works for the California Department of Veterans Affairs, attended the event and was impressed with Google’s support for veterans, Guard members and Reservists.
“The fact that Google is willing to make a public statement and dedicate themselves to supporting our veterans is so important as they come back and look for jobs,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2014 16:16 |
| Story ID: | 119876 |
| Location: | MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 726 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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