During the past few years, the U.S. has witnessed a number of
men and women going into and coming out of combat and support
situations domestically and around the world. This is especially
the case now that President Bush has announced additional troops
may be sent into Iraq.
For employers, these comings and goings pose special concerns:
How do you handle such situations? What leave should or must such
employees be granted? What compensation and benefits should be
provided? What happens when an employee returns from leave?
The answers to many of these questions are mandated by law,
particularly by the federal Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
USERRA applies to all employers, regardless of size. It requires
certain employment and re-employment rights and benefits be
provided to employees who leave their civilian jobs voluntarily or
involuntarily to serve in the U.S. uniformed services, including
the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, reserves for
all these entities, National Guard and commissioned corps of the
Public Health Service. USERRA also prohibits discrimination against
returning service members on the basis of their active military
duty or training obligations or any leave taken to...
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