Including the gaming industry, under federal law companies are required to return workers to the same or comparable positions once a soldier leaves for reserve or active duty in the military, in the United States. This same law requires companies to provide health insurance for 30 days while offering to continue with this for an additional 18 months, if needed, under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act, or COBRA. Some members of the gaming industry have taken that step, one step forward, giving them pay. The industry’s additional policies are for paying reservists full compensation, on top of active-duty pay, as well as preserving their jobs, a recent survey showed.
MGM Mirage is a good example of the gaming industry’s policies. Their policy provides full pay plus tips. The company's policy also preserves health benefits for soldiers and their families.
The gaming company was named one of the top 25 U.S. companies for its support of soldiers by G.I. Jobs. G.I Jobs is a monthly national magazine for soldiers. Chairman of MGM Mirage Terry Lanni, claims it’s the best they can do for U.S soldiers.
A soldier shouldn’t be punished for serving their country, and these benefits reassure him, that he and his family are being taken care of, another MGM head claimed. Compensation makes them feel better, knowing someone is looking out for their interests. So far, 80 MGM Mirage employees have been deployed to the army, since the two year battle in the Middle East began.
Harrahs also offers compensation, according to minimum federal requirements. Other gaming companies also adhere to the same. MGM is far above this class with its additional compensations.
Compensation benefits should be handled by other gaming companies. MGM takes it further; other companies are not willing to loose money, in this way. Harrahs lost 144 employees since the war began. MGM is different, just expressing pride of those who sacrificed themselves on be half of the country. |
