Thursday, November 11, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

MGM Mirage stands behind employees serving in military

Kurt Zeppenfeld returned from military duty to his job in collections at Bellagio -- and was paid in full while he served. Photo by Isaac Brekken

For people like Kurt Zeppenfeld, a Navy commander and Reservist for 26 years, an employer's backing can be nearly as important as the support they get from the government and their families.

Zeppenfeld, a casino collection manager at the MGM Mirage's Bellagio, knows firsthand that not all companies look out for their military employees: three of the six close friends he served with while on active duty from November 2001 to August 2003 returned home to find they no longer had jobs.

MGM Mirage, however, not only ensured Zeppenfeld could return to his same job, but implemented a "hero pay" policy that pays military members their full salaries while they're on active duty. The policy was implemented on Jan. 1, 2003.

"I was so taken by it," Zeppenfeld said. "I was notified by my boss in an e-mail. They didn't have to do that and they did.

Rich McCormack, publisher of G.I. Jobs Magazine, said most companies pay their military employees a differential wage; they pay the employee's salary minus military pay so the individual takes home the same amount. Federal law stipulates that employers must offer a returning military employee a "like" job, although McCormack said the language allows companies to displace workers.

"MGM is really stepping up to the plate," McCormack said. "Very few companies pay full salary and promise the employee that their same position will be waiting for them when they return."

Zeppenfeld said knowing you have your company's support is a huge relief. He said the MGM's "hero pay" and job security meant he could relax.

"I never worried," he said. "When these things happen to you, your whole life goes on hold. You have to notify your employer, tell your family, the last thing you want is to worry about them. But I love this company. They have always been supportive of my monthly time away."

The Navy commander, who served 21 months of active duty, said the first thing military buddies ask when he bumps into them: "What was it like when you got back to work?"

MGM Mirage's support for its military employees has won the company accolades.

G.I. Jobs Magazine this month ranked MGM Mirage No. 22 on its list of "Most Military Friendly Companies." The magazine, which goes on sale Wednesday, also listed MGM Mirage as tied for the "Most Reserve Friendly" company along with Merrill Lynch. The company also has won two awards from the Nevada Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for its policies.

"We feel very strongly that we want to support our active duty employees," said Donna Trusler, vice president of benefits for MGM Mirage. "We want life for relatives at home to go on as normally as possible so there can be no financial cutback. They have enough other things to worry about."

Other local companies are doing their part to help employees called to serve in Iraq or elsewhere.

Glenn Guy, a sergeant major with the 2nd Cavalry, said that the first time he was deployed he had five days to get his life in order. He said his employer at the time, the Las Vegas Police Department, "was really good; they paid the supplement of my salary and they were really good about it."

Sharon Dixon, an administrative assistant for Nevada Power Co. who received differential pay while she was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, said returning to civilian life was harder than leaving.

The 45-year old mother of three served in the Army National Guard in the early 1990s and re-enlisted in 1999.

"Nevada Power was great," Dixon said about how the utility helped her when she learned she was going to be deployed overseas. "I had the choice of keeping my Nevada Power insurance, which I did so my husband could see any doctor he chose, opposed to having to go on base."

Now back home, Dixon struggles with memories of her first experience "watching a man turn from his natural color to blue" as he died. But she is grateful for the support she receives from an employer that allows her to schedule doctor appointments during the day, and for co-workers who listen carefully to her stories of war.

Kimberly Irenze, whose husband and brother-in-law are both on Army National Guard active duty in the Middle East, noted that local companies are also helping Las Vegas military families.

"A local district manager at Rite-Aid whose son recently came home from serving in the war decided she wanted to do something for the families in Las Vegas. She asked the other 27 local Rite-Aid locations if they wanted to join her and they unanimously agreed," Irenze said.

The pharmacy chain is throwing a holiday party for the families of the 1864th and providing gifts for all the children, spouses and soldiers.

"They worry before they leave, 'Who will take care of my family?' and now they know that local community companies are helping out," Irenze said.