Thankful to our veterans year-round

When a family member is away from home for a military deployment, life is far from normal.

“As the only parent at home, my first priority is to keep the family sane and not add any extra stress,” said Larissa Stano, an accountant with American Family. Stano’s husband, Eric Stano, a Lt. Colonel with the National Guard, has been on two long-term military deployments, including one that began in August.

“It means there are a lot of things I hire out that he’d normally do, like the fall yard clean up, snow removal, and even mowing,” she said. “I can do those things, but I think it’s more important that I’m available for my sons who are 8 and 9.”

More resources that can help cover the extra costs that arise during an employee’s deployment is one of the enhanced benefits American Family will provide beginning January 1, 2020. Specially, deployed American Family employees will be paid their full salary for the first six weeks of leave in addition to their military pay. After six weeks, they will be paid the difference between the two for up to two years, which was the company’s previous policy for the entire leave.

“This is an important segment of our workforce,” said Christina Parrott, director of recruiting. “We wanted to make sure we support these employees before, during and after deployment.”

Doing the right thing

Other additions and enhancements to American Family’s military services leave benefits include:

• Up to three paid days off to prepare for military deployment of six weeks or longer for a deployed employee and/or a spouse who works for American Family
• Up to 10 paid days off for deployed employee upon return from an active duty deployment of 6 weeks or longer
• Pay for required military training

Stano said the date of her husband’s current deployment was moved up unexpectedly, meaning they had to scramble to get large and small tasks done before he left. “The extra three days would have really helped,” she said.

According to Parrott, the company added the 10 days of post-deployment leave so the employee can reacclimate, including spending time with family and friends.

The changes came about after a routine review of the company’s military leave benefits, Parrott said. In looking at changing the benefits, the company’s Human Resources area worked with the employee-led Veteran’s and Military Business Resource Group. They also surveyed peer companies and learned that these enhanced benefits are richer than what many companies offer.

“We realized the changes did the right thing for our military employees, so we made them,” Parrott said.

Stano said she’s grateful to work for a company that’s so supportive of her family in both benefits and culture. She and her sons look forward to Eric’s return home in time for Thanksgiving.

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About American Family Insurance
Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance group is the nation's 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group and ranks No. 306 on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, primarily through its exclusive independent contractor agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General and Homesite) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the internet or by phone. Affiliate Main Street America sells insurance products through independent agents and affiliate Ameriprise Auto & Home sells through partners. Web www.amfam.com; Facebook www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter www.twitter.com/amfam.