June 7, 2023
Tags: Announcements Awards
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HOLLAND, Michigan, June 7, 2023 — Bradford Company has been honored with the 2023 Employer Support Freedom Award, presented by the EMPLOYER SUPPORT of the GUARD and RESERVE (ESGR), an organization that is under the direction of the Department of Defense.
This is the highest level award given by the federal government to employers who are exceptionally supportive of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Bradford was one of 55 nominated companies reviewed by the ESGR and received its nomination from Nick Obradovich, a sergeant in the Army Reserve and an employee at Bradford.
“I nominated Bradford because I really felt supported by the leadership and employees I worked with. That doesn’t always happen to service members,” said Obradovich. “I feel very appreciated and encouraged to take the time I need to serve, without concerns of adverse consequences on my employment status,” added Obradovich.
Supporting employees with military status is something of a core tenet for Bradford Company. “Taking care of our employees who serve our nation is really important to us at Bradford. This is our way to give back, recognize and do what we can to assist those who sacrifice so much to allow us the freedom to do what we do each and every day,” said President and CEO of Bradford Group Inc., Tom Bradford.
Obradovich also added that the reason Bradford went beyond a nomination and actually won the award, was because of how the company moves past the “bare minimum” of employee support and enthusiastically embraces the devotion to serve. “They did more than just the basics of allowing me to serve in the Army Reserve. My supervisors were understanding and very flexible for all drills and deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom Spartan Shield to Qatar between 05/15/2022-02/15/2023. They’ve gone the extra mile to provide support for my family, compensation and benefits, and even went so far as to make sure quarterly bonuses were mailed to my house while deployed.”
Bradford received the award on May 13, 2023 and plans to display the award materials in their corporate headquarters in Holland, Michigan.
When asked if he was surprised at the level of support he received, Obradovich replied, “No. I was actually thanked many times for my service while going through the hiring process at Bradford. They knew of my involvement in the Army Reserve and still selected me for employment. I’m just very thankful they stayed true to those words of support with so many actions after hiring me.”
About Bradford
radford Company was incorporated in 1924 and is headquartered in Holland, MI. Bradford Group Inc. operates nine manufacturing plants across North America that provide custom engineered reusable/returnable protective packaging and industrial chipboard (paperboard) partition solutions. More information about Bradford is available at: bradfordcompany.com
About The Freedom Award
Since the Freedom Award was instituted in 1996, 325 employers have been honored with this prestigious award. The award is formally presented at the recipient’s location of choice by ESGR State Committee leadership. As part of the annual recognition, the President also signs a proclamation for “National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week,” highlighting the sacrifices of our Guard and Reserve members and their families, and the outstanding support they receive from employers. More information is available at: https://www.esgr.mil/Employer-Awards/SecDef-Employer-Support-Freedom-Award