ELC Celebrates Our Veterans Today and Everyday

Today and every day, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) is grateful for the brave service of the men and women in the military. In observance of Veterans Day on November 11 in the U.S., ELC— in partnership with the company’s Veterans Employee Resource Group (ERG) recognizes and honors those who are currently, and/or who have been, connected to military service or military families.

“Today, and always, we share our deep gratitude to those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces. The strength of The Estée Lauder Companies has always been rooted in the collective diversity of backgrounds and perspectives of our employees, and we are grateful for the many veterans who have chosen to be a part of our ELC Family,” said William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman.

Giving Back to ELC's Veterans, their Families and Our Communities

Hope for the Warriors

In commemoration of Veterans Day, ELC’s Veterans ERG is proud to announce that one of this year’s recipients of The  Estée Lauder Companies 2020 Community Impact Grant is Hope for the Warriors. The Community Impact Grant was created in 2014 to give ELC’s ERGs the unique opportunity to direct corporate philanthropic contributions and commit volunteer hours to the nonprofit(s) that they care about and that are aligned to ELC’s values.

Hope for the Warriors is a charity organization dedicated to helping military veterans and their families succeed at home through comprehensive programs focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement and connections to community resources. Hope for the Warriors work with transitioning service members aligns with ELC’s mission to actively recruit and leverage the capabilities of veterans at the company. 

ELC matched employee donations dollar-for-dollar (or local equivalent) to Hope for Warriors through our charitable giving site, ELC Good Works.

ERG Alliance for Justice

Earlier this year, The Veterans ERG has also joined the ERG Alliance for Justice, a collective effort and alliance across the company’s ERGs to stand in solidarity and galvanize our membership and leaders to promote equity & equality in the short- and long-term. In light of the recent events this year, and the ways in which they have highlighted the systematic injustices that exist within our country, the Veterans ERG has donated $6,000 to the Equal Justice Initiative. Thanks to the collective effort of the ERG Alliance for Justice, the total contribution to the Equal Justice Initiative, Race Forward, and NAACP LDF was over $38,000.

Red, White & Blue Notes

ELC is proud to come together and share its collective thanks through the virtual relaunch of the company’s Red, White and Blue Notes initiative, sponsored by Mr. Leonard A. Lauder, ELC Chairman Emeritus and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and in partnership with the Veterans ERG

From October 29 through November 20, ELC is encouraging U.S.-based employees to send letters of thanks to active military members overseas in time for the holidays. There are two ways to submit your letters:

• Submit your letter using this form!
• You can join the company in sending handwritten letters and drawings directly to A Million Thanks at:

A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd, #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861

Here are a few tips for writing your letter:

• Address the letter with salutations such as, “Dear Service Member,” “Dear Soldier,” or “Dear Hero”
• Express thanks for their service
• Keep the tone of the letter positive and uplifting
• Encourage your family to participate, drawings and notes from children are highly encouraged and welcomed!
• *Note: If you provide your first name and/or last name, this information will only be used to inform the active and veteran military members of the letter author

Enhanced Military Leave of Absence Policy

 The company’s enhanced U.S. Military Leave of Absence Policy for ELC employees who continue to serve has made it  easier for them and their families to fulfill their duty to the U.S. ELC knows that service to our country often involves sacrifice at home, and the company’s policy intends to ease that burden on employees who serve.

Under the expanded policy, ELC employees who are called to active duty or required to attend annual military reserve training will receive differential pay, which is the difference between the employee’s ELC salary, and their active duty military pay, for up to one year. Additionally, this expanded policy ensures that ELC employees can retain their ELC medical benefits along with other benefits for up to one year when they are called to active duty or attend annual military reserve training.

ELC is proud to support U.S. veterans and their families.