Breakfast with the Boss:

The Breakfast with the Boss program brings together local employers, military representatives, and state ESGR members in an informal breakfast or lunch meeting. This provides a comfortable forum for communication among all participants.

Requiring only a few hours out of the business day, Breakfast with the Boss will reach employers who would otherwise be unable to participate in other NCESGR programs.

The program goal is to develop understanding of problems relating to changing mission requirements within the reserve components and the impact this has on employers.

Through education, understanding and cooperation, many of these problems can be alleviated or eliminated through the open and frank discussion the Breakfast with the Boss program supports.

The prorated cost of breakfast or lunch is based on the per diem for the area. With today's shrinking Defense budget, Breakfast with the Boss is a cost-effective means to help eliminate employer conflict through enhanced communication.

Objectives:

• Acquaint employers with the vital role of the National Guard and Reserve, the positive impact of employing Reservists, and the changing role and missions of the Reserve components.
• Provide employers the opportunity to interact with local National Guard and Reserve representatives and answer questions or resolve conflicts resulting from Reserve component obligations.
• Provide employers information and clarification on USERRA, the employer obligations as they relate to the law. Provide information on ESGR and provide an opportunity for employers to sign Statements of Support.
• Provide Reserve component personnel with information on ESGR programs, i.e., employer awards, ombudsman services, Mission One, and state committee activities.

Bosslifts give employers the chance to observe firsthand the type and quality of military training and leadership activities of National Guard and Reserve members. Bosslifts also provide employers the opportunity to share their insights on the challenges and benefits of having employees who serve in the Reserve components.

The selected sites for Bosslifts usually emphasize National Guard and Reserve training and, whenever possible, include multiple branches of the military.

Bosslift participants are asked about their concerns regarding their Reserve employees; what their recommendations and ideas are for improving the employer/employee relationship; and, what is their overall assessment of employer support programs as they know them. Each Bosslift participant completes a questionnaire at the end of the Bosslift.

Bosslifts fall into two categories: those sponsored by NCESGR, and those sponsored by local ESGR committees.

Each committee is authorized an annual NCESGR-sponsored Bosslift. Participation for this Bosslift is restricted to 40 people; influential business and community leaders and a limited number of ESGR committee members.

The NCESGR Operational Support Team and the committee's Bosslift coordinator plan and execute this Bosslift. NCESGR issues invitational travel orders to participants for boarding military aircraft.

The state-sponsored Bosslifts are planned and executed entirely by the committee's Bosslift coordinator. The trip is sanctioned by NCESGR, and NCESGR will issue invitational travel orders to participants for boarding military aircraft upon request.

ESGR Bosslifts give employers the opportunity to provide input to the Department of Defense leadership and are an excellent way to see the critical role National Guard and Reserve members perform in our Nation's defense.