by For the first time, U.S. military veterans have a single resource to help determine which federal laws and agencies are responsible for enforcing their workplace rights. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) just released guidance entitled Protections Against Employment Discrimination for Service Members and Veterans. Jointly authored by the EEOC, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the document describes how individuals qualify for employment protection as veterans. The digital version of the document provides links to the many resources available to enforce applicable nondiscrimination laws.
The guidance explains how veterans are protected from discrimination through various broad nondiscrimination laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and other laws. It also details the protections provided by the two major laws that specifically address veteran status discrimination:
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) prohibits civilian employers from discriminating based on present, past, or future military service. It also entitles service members, such as National Guard members and reservists, to prompt reemployment with a pre-service employer following completion of military service.
- The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against protected veterans and requires federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain protected veterans. The protection extends to spouses and other individuals that the employer knows have a relationship or association with a protected veteran.
In addition to providing information on the relevant laws, the publication explains how to get assistance from the various agencies to enforce the laws. For more information, see: https://www.eeoc.gov/protections-against-employment-discrimination-service-members-and-veterans
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