USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act)

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) is a federal statute that protects the employment rights of service members and veterans. USERRA has two main protections

First, is the right to reemployment. USERRA requires employers to put individuals back to work in their civilian jobs after military service. Qualifying service members must be restored to the job and benefits they would have attained if they had not been absent due to military service or, in some cases, a comparable job.

Second, USERRA also protects service members from discrimination and retaliation in the workplace based on their military service or affiliation. It also protects non-service members from retaliation for opposing or speaking out against unlawful discrimination or retaliation based on military service, military leave, or military status. Military Discrimination is unlawful.

USERRA also provides these protections to members of Reserve components. USERRA applies to both public and private employers.

Contact our Columbus USERRA lawyers or visit our blog article on USERRA for more information to see who qualifies for protection and the details of each protection.