Do You Know the Employment Rights of Veterans?
Independence Day gives us the opportunity to remember and honor the men and women who have served, and are currently serving our country. It is also a good time to discuss the employment rights of veterans and members of the military.
The Department of Labor provides that “veterans who are disabled, who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others in hiring for virtually all federal government jobs.”
Here are a few of the rights and resources provided to veterans:
- Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) oversees compliance with the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), which requires employers doing business with the federal government to take steps to recruit, hire, and promote protected veterans.
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides significant leave and non-discrimination benefits to members of the military reserve, including the rights to return to the same job, with escalated benefits, salary and position title as though the employee remained employed during the period of absence.
- Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) provides resources and information on the rights provided by USERRA
- Career One Stop provides career planning, job search resources, training, and referrals to employers that are recruiting
- National Resource Directory (NRD) connects veterans to a variety of organizations that have assistance programs specifically for veterans.
- Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) is the most comprehensive information on veterans’ benefits and employment and training opportunities.
Veterans tend to have some of the most marketable skills in the workforce, such as leadership, teamwork, and problem solving. In fact, some companies specifically recruit for those who have served in the military due to the vast amount of worldly experience they have.
So many men and women have made sacrifices to keep our country free and safe. This is why the government has programs in place to take care of veterans when they return to civilian life. If you have any questions about the rights of veterans in the workplace, be sure to read all of the information provided by the Department of Labor.