The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects service members' reemployment rights when returning from a period of service in the uniformed services, including those called up from the reserves or National Guard, and prohibits employer discrimination based on military service or obligation. The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers USERRA.
Compliance Assistance Materials
Basic Information
- Employment Law Guide – Uniformed Service Members – Describes the basic provisions and requirements of reemployment rights and veterans' preference afforded persons who perform duty, voluntarily or involuntarily, in the uniformed services, which include the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Public Health Service commissioned corps, as well as the reserve components of each of these services.
Poster
- "Your Rights under USERRA" – Describes the required notice employers must provide to workers covered by USERRA.
- “Sus Derechos Bajo USERRA” – Describe el aviso requerido que los empleadores deben proporcionar a los trabajadores cubiertos por USERRA.
Fact Sheets
- Job Rights for Veterans and Reserve Component Members – Provides information to all veterans having claims under USERRA.
- FMLA/USERRA Guidance Memo – A Department of Labor memorandum that clarifies its position on the rights of returning service members to family and medical leave under USERRA.
E-Tools
- elaws Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Advisor – Helps employees and contractors understand veterans' employee eligibility and job entitlements for reservists and National Guard returning to private employment. Allows service members to submit a USERRA complaint form electronically.
Investigations
- Investigations Manual: USERRA, VEOA, and VP (PDF) - Explains and outlines tasks for staff at the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL or the Department) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) who might complete investigations under USERRA, VEOA, and VP.
Applicable Laws and Regulations
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) – Protects service members' reemployment rights when returning from a period of service in the uniformed services, including those called up from the reserves or National Guard, and prohibits employer discrimination based on military service or obligation.
- 20 CFR Part 1002 – Final regulations issued December 19, 2005 that implement the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended (USERRA). This rule, which explains the employment and reemployment rights and benefits of service members who are returning to civilian life, is effective on January 18, 2006.
- 5 C.F.R. Part 353 – U.S. Office of Personnel Management USERRA Regulations for the Federal sector
- Employment Law Guide – Employment Discrimination and Equal Opportunity for Certain Veterans Who Served on Active Duty and Special Disabled Veterans - Describes the affirmative action requirements of covered contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, recently separated veterans, and any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.
- Federal Contractor Program (VETS-4212) – Provides information on affirmative action designed to hire and promote special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, recently separated veterans, and any other veterans who served on active duty during a war.
- Frequently Asked Questions - Veterans
- elaws E-VETS Resource Advisor – Helps active duty personnel, veterans, reservists, Guard members, and their family members sort through the vast amount of resources available on the Internet.
Contacts
Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)
Attention: Compliance Assistance
200 Constitution Ave NW
Room S-1325
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365) or 202-693-4715
*If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Email: vetscompliance@dol.gov
Assistance is available in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Additional service is available in more than 140 languages through a translation service.