Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal law, passed in 1994, that protects military service members and veterans from employment discrimination, based on their service, and allows them to regain their civilian jobs following a period of uniformed service. USERRA applies to members of the Armed Forces, Reserves, National Guard, and other uniformed services (including the National Disaster Medical System and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service).
USERRA applies to both public and private employers of one or more employees, regardless of the number of hours worked. The Office of Special Counsel, in conjunction with the Department of Labor, investigates and enforces USERRA claims involving federal government employers. The Department of Labor and the Department of Justice handle USERRA claims involving private employers as well as state and local governments.
