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

Fact Sheets

E-Tools

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

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.