GREENVILLE, SC (SCDVA)- The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is the latest organization to be recognized as a Veteran-Friendly Employer in the state of South Carolina. GCSO received Gold recognition for their efforts in enabling thriving Veterans in the area by recruiting Veterans into their organization, empowering them to reach their full potential, and enhancing that same potential.

“At the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office we take great provide in hiring and actively recruiting those who gave so much defending our country. We take great pride in fostering a workplace environment that our veterans are happy to call home and to be honored with this recognition is truly remarkable,” said Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis.

According to a report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation and USAA, in 2020, 36% of employers said they don’t believe their organization has been effective in hiring Veterans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Business owners report that employing Veterans enhances the workplace as they work well as a team, they are organized, disciplined and possess a strong work ethic. Veterans strengthen our business communities when they are gainfully and purposefully employed by businesses who recognize their problem solving and adaptability skill sets,” said SCDVA Upstate Regional Integration Officer, Paulette Dunn.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs states that employers and companies benefit from hiring Veterans due to them being trained to possess multiple skills and having experience in various tasks and responsibilities.  

“I am proud to say that Transitioning Service Members and Veterans in the state continue to play vital roles in the workforce. Employers, like Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and others, are continuing to work with SCDVA and other partner organizations across the state in the recruitment, education, training, and hiring of Veterans, said SCDVA Senior Operations Coordinator, Al Taylor.

"These concentrated efforts contribute immensely to South Carolina having a bigger, smarter, and stronger workforce in each region across the state. Here at SCDVA we take pride in advocating for Veterans daily, by assisting employers in gaining a better understanding of the talents and transferrable skills that Veterans bring to the workforce. It is a great honor to be presenting the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Friendly Employer Recognition Award to Sheriff Lewis, and his team at the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.”

To learn more about SCDVA's Veteran-Friendly Recognition Program and how to apply CLICK HERE.