When weekend warriors turn full-time: publishers grapple with policies for reservists

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, Dec 1, 1990 by Tony Silber

When weekend warriors turn full-time

NEW YORK CITY -- With military reservists being called to active duty for the first time since the Vietnam War, employers throughout the country -- publishers included -- are grapling wit some unfamiliar questions. What does the government require of companies that employ reservists? And should employers go beyond what's required and provide additional support to employees called to the Persian Gulf?

A recent informal survey by FOLIO: revealed that numerous publishing companies have reservists in their employ, and several have been called to active duty. At Hearst, for example, six have been called; at McGraw-Hill, one thus far. The Federal Government has a series of requirements for employers. The most significant is that a reservist must be guaranteed his or her old job or a similar one upon returning. Also, all pay raises an employee may have been entitled to must be granted upon his or her return to work.

However, Hearst, McGraw-Hill and several other publishing companies have decided to go beyond what's mandated. Hearst will pay a reservist's full salary for the first month of active duty. For the two months after that, Hearst will make up the difference between military and civilian salary, so employees remain at full salary. The policy was reportedly developed as a result of the Gulf crisis.

Deciding to support its employees in the Reserves couldn't have been easier for Hearst, according to human resources director Kenneth Feldman.

McGraw-Hill and Ziff-Davis Publishing Company have similar policies. McGraw-Hill pays the salary difference for the first three months of active duty, spokesman Ray D'Angelo says.

In addition, the company will continue to provide dental insurance for the reservist's family for up to two years. The military does not offer dental insurance coverage for active-duty service personnel and their families, although all other medical needs are covered. Also, McGraw-Hill will continue life insurance coverage for those employees who were participating in their plan.

Some companies are still deciding on the best policy for them.

The National Rifle Association, for example, which publishes American Rifleman and American Hunter, is still working on a package for reservist employees who may be called to active duty. "We're trying to determine some kind of a bona fide policy that's advantageous for our people," says personnel director Darnell Gore.

Meanwhile, at least one reservist is grateful that "the call" hasn't come. Betsy Morgan, secretary and assistant to Marshall Freeman, president of Miller Freeman Publications, is a drill instructor in the Army Reserves. The publisher, which employs three reservists, fulfills only the government requirements for them. So what would being called up mean for Morgan? "I guess the biggest problem would be keeping my rented apartment," she says, adding that she understands such a scenario would cause greater hardship for people with families.