VFW Employer of the Year Award

The Purpose of Award: To confer recognition on one employer for outstanding records in the hiring and retention of veterans.

Deadline: The deadline for submission of nominations of employers of veterans to Department Headquarters is no later than April 10. Nominations received after that date will not be eligible for consideration for the Department award or submission to National.

Procedure: Nominations may be from a VFW member, a Post Commander or a District Commander.  Nominations must be sent using the attached form only. Nominations that arrive without supporting information will not be eligible for submission for national awards.

• Only those nominations that include adequate documentation on the nominee’s employment practices concerning veterans will be considered for the National VFW Employer of the Year Awards. The nominator should provide a copy of the company’s written policy on employment of veterans if available, a description of how the employer supports veterans’ activities in the community, and any other reasons why the nominee should be selected to be the Employer of the year Award winner. Governmental agencies are not eligible for award. 

Award: The Department Winner will receive a Citation from the Department Commander at the Department Convention.  The National Winner will receive a plaque to be presented by the National Commander at the Annual National convention and will receive a trip to travel to the convention city to accept the award.

• Nominations by Departments must be sent to National headquarters NLT April 28th .

Judging Criteria:

1.    Identify and describe the employer’s programs and or benefits designed to recruit veterans, including innovative business practices used to increase veteran recruitment (10 points)

2.    Describe the employer’s policies that give a preference to hire veterans, referring veterans, or any other veteran policy (VA veteran sick leave hours). Provide the positive and significant impacts these policies have on the employer’s business results. (10 Points)

3.    Describe the employer’s policies or initiatives that improve the current and future veteran employer’s career opportunities. (10 points)

4.    Provide the number of veterans employed, the total number of employees, and the percentage of veterans employed during a set time period: 1 January 2023 to December 31st, 2024. (20 points)

5.    Describe collaborative efforts with business organizations, educational partners, and community organizations that improve veteran employment opportunities. (10 points)

6.    Explain why veterans would choose this employer over other employers. (10 points)

7.    Provide documented endorsements, newspaper articles, awards, or letters of support highlighting the nominee’s contributions to veteran friendly employment or retention. (10 points)

8.    Provide the number of veterans employed with the employer for over one year. (10 points)

9.    Provide the number of veterans employed with the employer for five years. (10 points)

National program criteria and nomination form may be obtained from Department Headquarters or from the National webpage   www.vfw.org   at   VFW Employer of the Year Award

If you have any questions please contact the Department Adjutant at  517-485-9456   or  adjutant@vfwmi.vet