As a nation, we owe our veterans a great deal of gratitude for their service to this country. These brave men and women have put themselves in harm’s way to protect us from those who seek to do us harm. When they return home, many veterans struggle to find employment opportunities that match their skills and experience. To help address this issue, Congress passed the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) in 1974. This law prohibits discrimination against protected veterans in the workplace and requires federal contractors to take affirmative action to hire these individuals. In this blog post, we will explore what it means to be a protected veteran and what rights you have in the workplace.
What is a Protected Veteran?
Under VEVRAA, a protected veteran is any individual who served on active duty in the U.S. military, including the National Guard or Reserves, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. This includes veterans with physical or mental disabilities resulting from their service. The law also covers recent veterans, meaning those who were discharged within three years of applying for a job.
Who is Considered a Veteran?
Anyone who has served in the U.S. military is considered a veteran, regardless of whether they saw combat or not. There are currently over 20 million living veterans in the United States, representing all branches of the armed forces. Some may have served during peacetime, while others fought in wars such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. All of them deserve our respect and support.
Understanding Protected Veteran Status
Under VEVRAA, covered employers must make reasonable efforts to recruit and hire protected veterans. This can include posting job openings on websites specifically designed for veterans, attending job fairs and career events targeting veterans, and partnering with local organizations that provide job training and placement services to veterans. Employers cannot discriminate against protected veterans in any aspect of employment, including pay, promotion, and termination.
Rights of Protected Veterans in the Workplace
In addition to protection from discrimination, protected veterans have certain rights in the workplace. For example, they are entitled to time off from work to attend medical appointments related to their military service. They also have the right to use accrued vacation or sick leave for these appointments if necessary. Additionally, protected veterans have the right to request accommodations for disabilities resulting from their military service, such as wheelchair access or assistive technology.
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has helped clarify what it means to be a protected veteran and what rights you have in the workplace. If you believe your employer has violated your rights as a protected veteran, please contact the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) for assistance. Remember, our veterans have sacrificed so much for us, and we owe it to them to ensure they receive the support and recognition they deserve.
