Supporting its employees while they serve their nation in the military has earned Columbus company TSYS recognition.

The global credit-card processor was due to accept the "Pro Patria Award" Friday evening in Atlanta. TSYS employee Ron Tyler, a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, will accept the award on behalf of the credit-card processor.

The honor is presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an office within the U.S. Department of Defense that promotes cooperation between Reserve component servicemembers and their civilian employers.

There were 846 employers nominated for the award, with TSYS one of just two honored in Georgia.

The Pro Patria Award is given to employers that set up practices and personnel policies that support employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The company has between 15 and 20 staffers across the U.S. now serving in one of the Reserve organizations.

For those TSYS employees who are deployed, they remain eligible health benefit and life insurance programs. They also are able to take advantage of Family Medical Leave time off while their spouse is deployed.

To be eligible for the Pro Patria Award, employers must have received the "Above and Beyond Award," which TSYS received in 2008, and the "Patriot Award," which TSYS was presented in 2011. TSYS also won the ESGR's Seven Seals Award in 2013.

Another requirement is that the employer signs a "Statement of Support," which TSYS Chairman and CEO Phil Tomlinson has done, the company said.