On this Veteran’s Day, a reminder to employers of the federal anti-discrimination laws that protect veterans in the workplace, including the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), both of which protect veterans from employment discrimination.
USERRA:
- prohibits employers from discriminating against employees /applicants because of their military status/obligations; and
- protects reemployment rights of employees who leave civilian jobs (voluntarily or involuntarily) to serve in the uniformed services.
Title I of the ADA, among other protections, makes it illegal for an employer to refuse to hire a veteran because they have or are presumed to have or because they have been diagnosed with, conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from military service.
The EEOC issued a guidance that provides more information regarding veteran’s rights under the ADA. For more information, see here: Understanding Your Employment Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide for Veterans | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission