Posted under Career Management, Diversity, Job Search on May 23rd, 2008
This weekend we commemorate the U.S. men and women who have died in military service to our country. We also honor all current service members and veterans. According to government statistics, more than 30,000 military personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and surrounding duty station have been wounded in action. Despite their injuries, most disabled veterans leave active duty eager and able to return to the civilian workforce.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued two question-and-answer (Q&A) guides for veterans with service-connected disabilities and companies on employment and workplace issues.
EEOC chair Naomi C. Earp said “Injured veterans, like everyone else, deserve the freedom to compete in the workplace on a fair and level playing field. Members of the military have bravely sacrificed for America should never have to come home and face unlawful employment obstacles because of service-related disability.”
The first guide answers questions that veterans with service-connected disabilities may have about the protections they are entitled to when they seek to return to their former jobs or look to find their first, or new, civilian jobs. The document also explains changes or adjustments that veterans may need, because of their injuries, to apply for, or perform, a job, or to enjoy equal access to the workplace.
The publication for employers explains how protections for veterans with service-connected disabilities differ under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Right Act (USERRA). the guide further describes how the ADA in particular applies to recruiting, hiring and accommodating veterans with service-connected disabilities. The EEOC enforces Title 1 of the ADA, which prohibits employments discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector and state and local governments. The U.S. Department of Labor enforces USERRA, which applies to the reemployment of veterans with and without service-connected disabilities.
EEOC Legal Counsel Reed L. Russell said, “The EEOC wants to help our nations wounded warriors and employers alike understand their respective workplace rights and responsibilities under federal laws. The new guides will provide valuable assistance in this effort.”
Russell noted that each guide includes a list of resources where to find more information on USERRA and the ADA; public and private organizations who can assist employers who want to recruit and hire veterans or can helps who are seeking employment; and organizations and agencies that can identify reasonable accommodations for veterans with service-related disabilities.
Posted by Murray A. Mann
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