Veteran and Service Member Employment

Veteran and service member employees add significant value to America’s workplaces. Their experiences, leadership and work ethic can benefit civilian employers. Employers play an important role in maintaining our nation’s strong national defense by both supporting employees in the uniformed services to serve when called and ensuring veterans can put their skills and experience to work in the civilian workforce following separation.

In general, you should treat your veteran or service member employees the same as any other employees. Two federal laws prohibit discrimination in employment based on employees’ status as a veteran or service member: the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). Under USERRA, employees are protected from discrimination based on their prior service in the uniformed services; current service in the uniformed services; or intent to join the uniformed services. USERRA also protects employees from retaliation based on their actions to enforce their rights or someone else’s rights under the law, participation in a USERRA proceeding, or assistance in a USERRA investigation.

If you’re a federal contractor or subcontractor, any veteran or service member employees who meet the definition of “protected veteran” are also protected from discrimination and retaliation under VEVRAA. Both USERRA and VEVRAA apply if you’re a federal contractor or subcontractor, but while USERRA applies to all veterans, VEVRAA only applies to certain groups of veterans.