“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day.” — Charles B. Rangel
Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, is a time to thank and honor all who have served honorably in the U.S. military, whether in wartime or peacetime. This day, as defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, highlights the contributions and sacrifices of our living veterans, underscoring their essential role in national security and resilience. With more than 18 million living veterans in the United States today, according to Pew Research, veterans represent around 6% of the adult population, a demographic expected to grow in diversity over the next 25 years.
This evolving diversity in the veteran community can be traced back to Executive Order 9981, signed in 1948, which mandated desegregation in the U.S. military. As workplaces become increasingly diverse, veterans' knowledge and skills are essential for fostering resilience, teamwork, and an inclusive work culture. At AllProfit HR, we support organizations in building a sustainable, inclusive culture that leverages this unique veteran expertise while ensuring compliance with recent Maryland laws protecting military status.
Supporting Veterans in the Workplace
Creating a veteran-friendly environment starts with recognizing military service and acknowledging the transferable skills veterans bring to the table.
Below are some impactful strategies based on insights from the Wounded Warriors Project to integrate veterans’ skills effectively:
Recognize Service Contributions: Host a Veterans Day event to honor the veterans in your organization. Consider offering a dedicated breakfast, lunch, or ceremony to appreciate their sacrifices and reinforce the value they bring to your team.
Establish a Veteran Resource Group: Create a veterans resource group or mentorship program to help veterans acclimate to civilian roles. Providing a peer support network promotes camaraderie and helps veterans transition smoothly, fostering an environment of mutual support.
Create a Supportive and Educated Culture: Educate your workforce on the military experience. Share stories or profiles of veteran employees, highlighting their service backgrounds and memorable experiences. Hosting lunch-and-learns featuring veterans’ stories can also deepen understanding and respect within the team.
Expand Access to Mental Health Resources: Veteran employees often benefit from Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and mental health support, especially around holidays. Ensure veterans are aware of these resources, as they can provide needed support in navigating any service-related challenges.
Volunteer Initiatives: Offer volunteer opportunities for your entire workforce to participate in community support, such as “adopting” a veteran family in need during the holidays. This helps foster a sense of purpose and connection while honoring the service of your veteran employees.
Building a Veteran-Friendly Workplace
The Veterans Employment Toolkit provides valuable resources, including the "Is Your Organization Veteran Friendly?" questionnaire, to help your organization assess its veteran-friendly practices. By reviewing this checklist, organizations can identify areas of strength and opportunity in supporting veterans throughout the Employee Life Cycle.
Complying with Maryland’s Military Status Protection Law
Maryland’s recent updates to antidiscrimination laws extend protections to military status, ensuring servicemembers and their dependents receive equal treatment in the workplace. Employers with 15 or more employees must now include military status in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and ensure management training reflects this new protected category. This legal requirement aligns with AllProfit HR's commitment to fostering a resilient workforce that honors and leverages veterans' expertise.
“Whenever the world makes you cynical; whenever you seek true humility, and true selflessness — look to a veteran.” — Barack Obama
AllProfitHR Values Belonging
Veterans Day reminds us of the invaluable contributions veterans bring to our organizations. As you consider how to support your workforce through recruitment, development, or retention initiatives, AllProfit HR is here to assist.
Let’s work together to build a supportive, inclusive workplace that values our veterans. Contact us today to create an environment where every employee feels they belong.
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Beyond mere preference, how do you think organizations overlook the true hidden potential of veterans in the workplace?
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