A group of veterans recently met with state Department of Labor officials to urge the creation of a “Veteran-Friendly Workplace” program for Maine businesses. Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, facilitated the meeting on behalf of the veterans.

The group, led by organizer Jessica Chubbuck of Edgecomb, want the state to improve workplace policies and protocols related to veteran employees who must attend regular medical appointments related to their service. Currently, some veterans are forced to use up all of their personal earned time off, such as vacation and sick leave, for necessary medical. Many exhaust all of their earned leave, and are forced to forego their paychecks to receive health care. These veterans have to decide between receiving proper treatment and jeopardizing their good-standing at work.

“It has been exciting to watch as what started out by a simple conversation with a veteran, Benjamin Leeman, is now becoming a reality,” said Chubbuck. “We began talks in early March about the need for creating veteran friendly workplace practices throughout Maine, and now we are making this a possibility for our veterans here in Maine. We are grateful for Sen. Johnson’s efforts as well as the Maine Department of Labor and the Governor’s Office for their support.”

Chubbuck has worked with Sen. Johnson to propose the idea of a veteran-friendly workplace designation for businesses that choose to establish better policies related to veteran employees’ needs. Under their proposal, any business could offer its veteran employees the ability to flex their work time to ensure they make their necessary medical appointments, and still work their usual number of hours. The initiative would also train employers about PTSD awareness and how to strengthen supervisor/employee relationships.

“These are hardworking men and women who have served their country, integrated back into the work force, and should not have to weigh their health needs against their job,” said Sen. Johnson. “We all know that military service is not without its risks. Mainers who choose to serve regardless of those risks shouldn’t have to choose between their physical and mental health and their jobs. I am proud of Jessica and the rest of these men and women for their work on behalf of all the veterans who choose to call Maine home.”

According to 2014 statistics from the VA National Center, Maine has 127,000 veterans, of which 25,740 are receiving disability. The Department of Labor was receptive of the proposal and a working group will incorporate the designation into the state’s successful Hire-a-Vet program.