Memo improves job protection for guardsmen, reservists

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Attorney General John Ashcroft and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao have signed a memorandum of understanding to ensure employment rights of people returning from military service are vigorously protected.

The memorandum streamlines and strengthens enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994. Congress passed the act to safeguard the employment rights and benefits of servicemembers upon their return to civilian life.

"The brave men and women protected by (the act) voluntarily set aside the comforts of civilian life and stepped in harm's way," Mr. Ashcroft said. "We owe it to them to make sure that their employment rights and protections are fully and vigorously protected upon their return from military service."

"Our (servicemembers) have been there for us, so now it's our turn to step up our efforts for them," Ms. Chao said. "This agreement will strengthen enforcement of (the act) by ensuring faster resolution of (its) cases and quicker enforcement action by the government when it is necessary."

The memorandum deals exclusively with each department's role and responsibilities in the enforcement of the act. The attorney general has delegated his responsibilities to the civil rights division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys' offices.

The Department of Labor has delegated its responsibilities to the veterans' employment and training service and the office of the solicitor.

The memorandum will streamline the enforcement process, allowing the two agencies to work closely and effectively to ensure the protection of servicemembers’ rights. When a complaint raises an "issue of immediate and significant harm" and each agency agrees that the complaint appears legitimate, it may be referred for enforcement immediately, officials said. This prevents two agencies from working on the same issue, wasting time and resources.

Department of Labor officials also issued new regulations strengthening the act’s protections. Besides the new regulations, Ms. Chao and the DOL's veterans' employment and training services have taken other steps to reduce the rate of violations, including:

-- Providing briefings to more than 158,000 servicemembers and others on the act.

-- Responding to almost 26,000 requests for technical assistance.

-- Distributing more than 240 televised public-service announcements.

-- Addressing most of the major human resource and employer organizations. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)