Returning reservists need that period of adjustment

By Joyce M. Rosenberg
Associated Press

NEW YORK — With the war in Iraq winding down, small-business owners are looking forward to the return of employees who were deployed to the reserves.

But once the "welcome back" cakes have been cut, reservists and their co-workers might find there's a painful period of adjustment. And company owners should be ready to deal with a variety of problems.

For example, some reservists might have trouble settling back to work. Or co-workers who were given greater responsibilities in a reservist's absence might now balk at giving them up. There may be anger in the office because a temporary staffer, now no longer needed, is being let go.

Employee assistance professionals suggest that employers meet with the returnees before their first day back and also meet separately with the rest of the staff. This will help the owner anticipate any problems.

In meeting with a returning worker, the boss needs to ask: "How can we best integrate you back into your role?" said Pam Ruster, president of Supportive Systems, an employee assistance program provider in Indianapolis.

Employees will have different reactions to getting back to work.

"Some may welcome the familiarity of coming back and doing something that's quite predictable," Ruster said.

"Others may come back to an experience that is not comfortable. They may have grown in ways in which they're no longer comfortable with what they were doing before and are ready for new challenges."

Meanwhile, the office might have changed while the reservist was away. It's important to prepare an employee for such changes.

Ruster noted that in many cases, companies have hired workers to fill in while the reservists were away. If those temporary staffers are now being let go, it's a situation likely to stir up emotions in the rest of the office.