Department of Defense National Survey of Employers

OMB Control No. xxxx-xxxx
Exp: xx/xx/xx
DMDC Survey No. 10-xxxx

2010 Department of Defense
National Survey of Employers

Department of Defense
Human Resources
Strategic Assessment
Program (HRSAP)

Department of Defense National Survey of Employers (As of 5/4/2010)
4.
EXPERIENCES WITH NATIONAL GUARD AND
RESERVE MEMBERS
1.

To the best of your knowledge, within the past
36 months, how many employees have both
worked at your location and served in the
National Guard or Reserve (e.g., participated in
weekend drills, annual two-week training or an
extended period of active duty service)?

Less than one month
One to three months

None

Four to six months

1

Seven to 12 months

2-10

More than one year

11 or more

2.

Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member, what is the
maximum amount of time that you could
successfully run your business while that
employee was absent from work for military
duties without needing to hire a replacement?
Mark one.

5.

[Ask if Q1 > "None"] In what Service/Reserve
component(s) are your National Guard or
Reserve employees? Mark all that apply.

Think about all the times in the past 36 months
when National Guard or Reserve employees
were absent from work for military duties. On
average, how much advance notice did you
receive for… Mark one answer for each item.

Army National Guard (ARNG)

No advance notice

U.S. Army Reserve (USAR)

One to six days advance notice

U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR)

Seven to 14 days advance notice

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR)
15 to 30 days advance notice

Air National Guard (ANG)

More than 30 days
advance notice

U.S. Air Force Reserve (USAFR)

a.

Zero days.............................................................

b.

One to 30 days ....................................................

[Ask if
Q1 >
"None" &
Q3 a=
a.
"Yes"]
[Ask if
Q1 >
"None" & b.
Q3 b=
"Yes"]
[Ask if
Q1 >
"None" & c.
Q3 c=
"Yes"]
[Ask if
Q1 >
"None" & d.
Q3 d=
"Yes"]

c.

31 days to seven months ................................

6.

d.

Eight months to one year ................................

e.
f.

More than one year..............................................
One or more employees were absent for
military duties although I do not know the
length of time .......................................................

U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (USCGR)
Don't know

3.

[Ask if Q1 > "None"] In the past 36 months,
have any of the National Guard or Reserve
employees at your location been absent from
work for military duties (e.g., weekend drills,
annual two-week training or an extended period
of active duty service) for any of the following
periods of time? Mark one answer for each
item.
No
Yes

DMDC

Absences of one
to 30 days? ................................

Absences of 31
days to seven
months?................................

Absences of eight
months to one
year? ................................

Absences of
more than one
year? ................................

Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member, how many
days advance notice would you need to
adequately plan for military absences of the
following durations?
a.

Absences of one to
30 days

Days

b.

Absences of 31
days to seven
months

Days

1

7.

c.

Absences of eight
months to one year

Days

d.

Absences of more
than one year

Days

11. [Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f = "Yes"] Have
the absences of National Guard and Reserve
employees for military duties resulted in any
changes to your standard business
operations?

Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member who needs
to be absent for military duties, would it be
better for your business if the absences were...
Shorter but more frequent (e.g., absent seven
continuous months with the following two years
at home with regular training and drill
requirements)?
Longer but less frequent (e.g., absent 14
continuous months with the following five years
at home with regular training and drill
requirements)?

Yes
No

12. [Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Q11
= "Yes"] In the past 36 months, to what extent
have the absences of National Guard and
Reserve employees for military duties
contributed to the following… Mark one
answer for each item.
Not at all

No preference, either option would work equally
well for my business.

Small extent
Moderate extent

No preference, neither option would be better
for my business.

8.

National Guard and Reserve members receive
two months of training before being deployed.
Assuming at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member, would it be
better for your business if this training was
scheduled...
Immediately before a deployment of at least one
year
One or more months before a deployment of at
least one year

9.

[Ask if Q1 > "None"] Are you aware that your
National Guard or Reserve employees are able
to take military leave during their extended
military duties without having to immediately
return to their civilian employment?

Large extent
Very large extent
a.
b.
c.
d.

Lower coworker morale?.......................

e.
f.

Loss of critical work skills?....................
Increased costs from
hiring replacements?.............................
Increased costs from
training replacements?..........................
Increased time spent
finding or training qualified
replacements? ................................

g.
h.

Yes
No

10. Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member, how
would it impact your business if National Guard
and Reserve members needed to be absent
from work for military duties for one full year
out of every five years, in addition to their
regular training and drill requirements?
My business would be much better off.
My business would be somewhat better off.

Disruptions in work
scheduling?................................
Disruptions in product
delivery or workflow? ............................
Increased work load of
coworkers? ................................

i.
j.

Increased overtime costs? ....................
Increased cost of benefits
plans? ...................................................

k.
l.

Loss of existing business? ....................
Difficulty developing new
business?................................

m. Other?...................................................

[Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Q11
= "Yes" & Q12 m > "Not at all"] Please specify
the other issues your business experienced as
a result of National Guard and Reserve
employee absences.

It would not have any effect on my business.
My business would be somewhat worse off.
My business would be much worse off.

2

DMDC

Department of Defense National Survey of Employers (As of 5/4/2010)
13. [Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Q11
= "Yes"] What aspects of National Guard or
Reserve employee absences for military duties
contributed to the problems for your business?
Mark one answer for each item.
Not at all

14. [Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Q11
= "Yes"] In the past 36 months, have you used
any of the following methods to adapt to
National Guard or Reserve employee absences
for military duties? Mark one answer for each
item.
Don't know

Small extent
No
Moderate extent
Yes
Large extent
a.
Very large extent
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.
h.

i.

National Guard and
Reserve employee
absences were too
frequent.................................................
National Guard and
Reserve employee
absences were too long ........................
There was insufficient
advance notice regarding
upcoming military duty ..........................
Employees involuntarily
assigned additional
military duty................................
The “call-up” came at a
particularly inconvenient
time and could not be
changed ................................................
National Guard and
Reserve employees failed
to return to work as soon
as expected ................................
The lengths of military
assignments were unclear ....................
The business owner or
other senior leader was
activated ................................

b.
c.
d.
e.

f.
g.

Reassigned responsibilities to a
single coworker ...................................................
Divided responsibilities among
coworkers............................................................
Supervisors assumed
responsibilities ....................................................
Hired temporary replacements............................
Hired a permanent replacement and
redistributed work when
employee(s) returned................................
Allowed work to build up until
employee(s) returned................................
Suspended/delayed business
operations ...........................................................

15. [Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Q11
= "Yes"] To what extent have the following
interventions helped to resolve your business's
problems connected with National Guard or
Reserve employee absences for military
duties? Mark one answer for each item.
Not at all
Small extent
Moderate extent
Large extent

Other.....................................................
Very large extent

[Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Q11
= "Yes" & Q13 i > "Not at all"] Please specify
the other aspects of National Guard or Reserve
employee absences for military duties that
contributed to the problems for your business.

Not Applicable
a.

b.

c.

DMDC

The Human
Resources and/
or Legal
Departments
resolved the
dispute(s) ................................
The business
contacted the
employee's
military
commander ................................
The business
received
assistance from
Employer
Support of the
Guard and
Reserve
(ESGR) ................................

3

Not at all

Don't know

Small extent

No

Moderate extent

Yes
c.

Large extent
Very large extent

d.
Not Applicable
d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

A case was filed
with the
Department of
Labor (DOL)................................
The business
contacted the
Small Business
Administration................................
The business
sought advice
from a lawyer or
attorney................................
The National
Guard or
Reserve
employee(s) left
the business ................................
The business
sought advice
from the Office
of Special
Counsel ................................

e.

Increased risk-taking at work (e.g.,
less likely to follow safety
precautions) .........................................................
A military service-related disability
requiring changes to their
workstations, tasks, or routines............................
Increased stress or emotional
problems ..............................................................

17. [Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Any
Q17 = "Yes"] Are any of your National Guard or
Reserve employees who returned from a
military combat environment with any of the
issues you marked in the previous question
receiving any professional help for their
issues?
Yes
No
Don't know

POTENTIAL MEASURES TO IMPROVE RESERVE
COMPONENT-EMPLOYER RELATIONSHIPS

Other................................

[Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes" & Q11
= "Yes" & Q15 i > "Not at all"] Please specify
the other way(s) in which your business
addressed problems connected with
employees' military obligations in the National
Guard or Reserve.

18. Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member who needs
to be absent for military duties, which of the
following measures to support employers
would be most helpful to your business? Mark
one.
An incentive for hiring a National Guard or
Reserve employee
Providing replacement assistance for job
vacancies
Opportunity to reschedule military duty to a
more manageable time

16. [Ask if Q1 > "None" & Any Q3 b-f= "Yes"] In the
past 36 months, have any of your National
Guard or Reserve employees returned from a
military combat environment with any of the
following issues? Mark one answer for each
item.
Don't know
No
Yes
a.

b.

4

An incentive providing partial reimbursement of
employer expenses such as a tax incentive,
grant, or low-interest loan
None of these measures would be helpful for
my business.

19. Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member who needs
to be absent for military duties,are there any
other measures that would help your business
adapt to the employee's absence?

Substance abuse that interferes
with performance (e.g., alcohol,
drugs) ................................................................
Increased difficulty interacting with
customers or coworkers (e.g.,
easier to anger, less helpful)................................

DMDC

Department of Defense National Survey of Employers (As of 5/4/2010)
20. Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member, how useful
would the following be for understanding their
military duties? Mark one answer for each
item.
Not at all useful

GENERAL OPINIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARD
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE EMPLOYEES
22. [Ask if Q1 > "None"] How much do you agree
or disagree with the following statements about
National Guard and Reserve employees? Mark
one answer for each statement.

Moderately useful

Strongly agree

Somewhat useful

Agree

Largely useful

Neither agree nor disagree

Very useful
a.

b.

c.

d.
e.
f.

g.

Disagree

An information packet
explaining the National
Guard and Reserve
mission and
responsibilities to
employers. ................................
Having the member
provide a copy of their
activation orders ................................
Periodic briefings/reports
to employers by military
commanders ................................
A toll-free information line
for employers ................................
Longer activation
notification time................................
Official notification of
activation orders from the
Services ................................................

Strongly disagree
a.

b.

c.

d.

Other.....................................................

The training and
experience received by a
National Guard or Reserve
member makes that
person a more valuable
employee for my business ....................
National Guard and
Reserve employees in my
business are good team
players ..................................................
Overall I am satisfied with
National Guard and
Reserve employees in my
business................................................
Employing National Guard
and Reserve employees is
challenging because of
their military obligations ........................

23. [Ask if Q1 > "None"] Considering the training
they receive as part of the military, how would
you rate National Guard and Reserve
employees as compared to other employees on
their... Mark one answer for each item.

[Ask if Q20 g > "Not at all useful"] What other
tools would you suggest for improving
communication between National Guard or
Reserve employees and employers?

A lot worse
Worse

21. If your business had questions about its rights
and responsibilities related to National Guard
and Reserve employees, which of the following
sources would you turn to for information?
Mark one answer for each item.

About the same
Better
A lot better

No
Yes

a.

Organizational skills? ............................

b.

Communication skills? ..........................

a.
b.

Military command.................................................
Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR)..................................................

c.

Management skills? ..............................

d.

Technical skills?................................

c.

Lawyer or attorney ...............................................

e.

Leadership skills? ................................

d.

Department of Labor (DOL) ................................

f.

Teamwork skills? ................................

e.

Other internet Web sites ................................

g.

Dependability? ................................

h.

Initiative?................................

DMDC

5

24. To what extent would the prescreening of
National Guard and Reserve members for the
following items be of value to your business?

Strongly agree
Agree

Not at all

Neither agree nor disagree

Small extent

Disagree

Moderate extent

Strongly disagree

Large extent

c.

Very large extent
Not Applicable
a.

b.

Background
checks (e.g.,
credit checks,
criminal
background
checks, or
Security
clearance)................................

I know that the Employer
Support of the Guard and
Reserve is a valuable
resource for finding the
best way for my business
to comply with USERRA .......................

27. How helpful would the following sources of
information be for keeping your business
informed about USERRA? Mark one answer for
each item.
Very helpful
Largely helpful

Drug screening ................................

Somewhat helpful

KNOWLEDGE OF UNIFORMED SERVICES
EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT
(USERRA)
25. Are you aware of any laws/policies that protect
National Guard and Reserve members in their
civilian jobs?
No
Yes
a.

Federal/State/Local laws ................................

b.

Policies set by your business...............................

26. How much do you agree or disagree with the
following statements about your knowledge of
the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)? Mark
one answer for each statement.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
a.

b.

6

Moderately helpful
Not at all helpful
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

f.
g.

Training available on DVD ....................
Training available on the
Web ......................................................
Call center to answer
questions ................................
Fact sheet on the Web..........................
Visit from Employer
Support of the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR) trainer........................
ESGR Employer Resource
Guide ....................................................
Workshop with ESGR
trainer and other business
owners ..................................................

28. How often would you like your business to
receive training or information on USERRA?
Yearly
Whenever an employee must be absent for
military duties
Upon request
My business has no need for training

I know everything I need
to remain in compliance
with USERRA ................................
I know where to go when I
need help fulfilling my
responsibilities under
USERRA................................

DMDC

Department of Defense National Survey of Employers (As of 5/4/2010)
KNOWLEDGE OF EMPLOYER SUPPORT
PROGRAMS
29. Is your business aware of the following
National Guard or Reserve programs for
employers? Mark one answer for each item.
Yes, and my business has participated in this
program in the past 36 months
Yes, but my business has not participated in
this program in the past 36 months
No, my business was unaware of this
program

Unit mission ceremony..........................

b.

Military installation visit .........................

c.
d.

Boss Lift ................................................
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration
Program activities ................................
Lunch or Breakfast with the
Boss......................................................

e.
f.

No
Yes
e.

Telephone contact, other than with
the call center......................................................

f.

ESGR visit to your location ................................

g.

Conference/Trade show/ Work Fair ....................

h.

Other................................................................

[Ask if Q1 > "None" and Q31 h = "Yes"] Please
specify the other ways in which your business
has had contact with Employer Support of the
Guard and Reserve (ESGR) in the past 36
months.

I do not know if my business is aware
of this program
a.

Don't know

32. Are you aware of the statement of support for
National Guard and Reserve members provided
by the Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR)?

Other.....................................................

Yes, my business displays a signed statement
of support

[Ask if Q29 f = "Yes, and my business has
participated in this program in the past 36
months"] Please specify the other National
Guard or Reserve programs for employers in
which your business has participated during
the past 36 months.

Yes, my business has signed the statement of
support but does not display it
Yes, although my business has not or does not
intend to sign the statement of support
No, my business is not aware of the statement
of support

30. [Ask if Q1 > "None"] Has your business had
contact with any of your National Guard and
Reserve employees' military supervisors or
commanders in the past 36 months?

33. [Ask if Q1 > "None"] Has your business
received any of the following awards/media
recognition in the past 36 months for the
support you provide to National Guard and
Reserve employees?

Yes

Don't know

No

No

Don't know
Yes

31. [Ask if Q1 > "None"] Has your business had
contact with Employer Support of the Guard
and Reserve (ESGR) in the past 36 months by
any of the following means? Mark one answer
for each item.
Don't know
No
Yes
a.

Letter/Brochure ....................................................

b.

E-mail................................................................

c.

ESGR Web site....................................................

d.

ESGR call center .................................................

DMDC

a.

Secretary of Defense Employer
Support Freedom Award (SDESFA) ...................

b.

Employer Above and Beyond Award ..................

c.

Seven Seals Award................................

d.

Patriot Award ......................................................

e.

Pro Patria Award.................................................

f.

Freedom Award Nomination ...............................

g.

Media recognition................................................

h.

Some other award(s) ................................

7

[Ask if Q1 > "None" & Q33 h = "Yes"] Please
specify the other award(s) your business has
received in the past 36 months for the support
you provide to National Guard and Reserve
employees.

Does not apply
No
Yes
f.

Other................................................................

[Ask if Q37 f = "Yes"] Please specify the other
form of support your business provides to
National Guard and Reserve employees.

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
34. During the hiring process, are job applicants
asked if they are members of the National
Guard or Reserve?
Yes

EMPLOYER CHARACTERISTICS

No

38. Is your business... Mark one.

Don't know

In the public sector (i.e., a part of your local,
state, or federal government)

35. All other things being equal, does your
business prefer to hire National Guard and
Reserve members?
Yes, my business prefers to hire National Guard
and Reserve members
My business does not have a preference for
hiring National Guard and Reserve members.

36. Do your business's written employment
policies reference the military responsibilities
of National Guard and Reserve employees?

A privately owned or publicly traded for profit
business
A non-profit business (e.g., a school, charity, or
religious institution)

39. [Ask if Ask if Q38 = "In the public sector (i.e., a
part of your local, state, or federal
government)"] Is your public sector business a
part of the... Mark one.
Local government with responsibility for a city,
county, or other area smaller than a state

Yes

State government

No

Federal government

Don't know

40. In what industry is your business?

37. Assume at least one of your employees is a
National Guard or Reserve member, would your
business provide any of the following types of
support?

41. How many employees work for your business
across all work locations?
1-10 employees

Does not apply
11-49 employees
No
Yes
a.
b.

c.

d.

e.

8

Flexible hours to accommodate
military duty .........................................................
Continued payment of employee
salaries (full, part, differential) when
they are absent for military duties ........................
Continued payments for employee
benefits (e.g., life insurance,
pension)...............................................................
Support to their families (e.g.,
continued education, childcare, or
housing benefits) .................................................
Continued health benefits for
employees who are absent for
military duties for more than one
month................................................................

50-99 employees
100-500 employees
501 or more employees

42. How many employees work at your work
location?
1-10 employees
11-49 employees
50-99 employees
100 or more employees

DMDC

Department of Defense National Survey of Employers (As of 5/4/2010)
43. Does your business provide any of the
following as part of its mission? Mark one.

Does not apply
No

Emergency/first response fire protection
Emergency/first response police protection

Yes

Emergency/first response medical services

e.

Communication with Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve
representative(s) .................................................

f.

Request from coworker/supervisor .....................

g.

Other................................................................

My business does not provide any of these
services

44. [Ask if Q1 > "None"] What is your work
relationship to the National Guard or Reserve
employees working at your location? Mark all
that apply.
Indirect supervisor

[Ask if Q46 g = "Yes"] Please specify the other
factors which encouraged you to complete the
survey.

Direct supervisor
Coworker
I am currently a National Guard or Reserve
member
Subordinate
Other

45. What is your job title or function? Mark one.
CEO/President/Owner
Human Resources/Personnel Manager

47. If you have comments or concerns that you
were not able to express in answering this
survey, please enter them in the space
provided. Do not use identifying names or
information. Your feedback is useful and
appreciated. If you would like to contact
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
(ESGR) for more information or to participate in
one of their programs, you may do so at (1-800)
336-4590 or www.esgr.mil.

Administrator
Worksite Manager
Supervisor
Other

[Ask if Q45 = "Other"] Please specify your job
title or function.

TAKING THE SURVEY
46. Which of the following factors encouraged you
to complete this survey? Mark one answer for
each item.
Does not apply
No
Yes
a.

Letter inviting you to participate ...........................

b.

Phone call inviting you to participate....................

c.

Email inviting you to participate ...........................

d.

Web advertisement................................

DMDC

9

ITEM SOURCE INFORMATION
47.

10

NA

DMDC