AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) accepted the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award on Thursday at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
AstraZeneca US President Rich Fante accepted the award on behalf of AstraZeneca and was joined by AstraZeneca Vice President of Human Resources, Marta Perez, and members of the company's Military Support Employee Network Group.
"I am proud of how AstraZeneca leaders and employees are supporting not only their colleagues who serve in the National Guard and Reserve, but also their families and community members," Fante, a former Army Reservist, said.
AstraZeneca was nominated for the award by an employee from New Jersey, a current U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The company employs more than 100 men and women serving in the National Guard or Reserve, and was one of 15 employers chosen for this award from among more than 3,200 total nominations.
AstraZeneca provides flexible policies and benefits designed to ease burdens on employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve, including: