Employment Rights for Veterans
"Ted Daywalt, president of VetJobs.com, a site that helps military people find jobs, says he knows companies that simply refuse to hire them. 'I had one senior VP of HR tell me that if I had three candidates for a senior position in the company, and one of them mentioned they're in the Guard or Reserve, he would only have two candidates left. And I said, "You know, that's illegal." And, his response was, 'I can always find a reasonwhy not to hire somebody,' he says."
-- Excerpt from 60 Minutes report on USERRA violations, November 2, 2008
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them."
-- John F. Kennedy
USERRA Rights for Veterans and Obligations for Employers
By: Tiffanie C. Benfer, Esq.
Our country’s current military engagement abroad has resulted in involuntary duty for many employees. They leave behind civilian jobs and create voids in the employer’s workforce. In some cases the employer must fill this void in their absence. However, when the veteran employee returns from active duty s/he has the legal right to be re-employed even if the employer has no vacancies. In an effort to protect the men and women of the armed forces and to encourage participation in the armed forces, Congress enacted the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) to provide the men and women of the armed services job protection. What does this mean for employers and returning vets?