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The USERRA requires that employers reinstate employees after active military service, even if the employee’s absence has been up to five years. In some cases, as with wounded veterans, employers are required to reinstate employees who have been absent even longer.

That is why it is vital for employers to have a USERRA compliance program in place.

USERRA, the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act applies even to employees who voluntarily resign to enroll in the military. It also applies to emergency workers such as police, firefighters and paramedics, who may be pressed into service or volunteer during times of natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

The USERRA also applies to employees who serve in the National Guard or National Reserve.

Employers are required to notify employees of their rights under USERRA. In most cases, every employer must display a USERRA Poster, even if they currently have no employees who are covered under the law.

The federal regulations require that employers furnish a notice of the complete, accurate rights, benefits and obligations of employees and employers under USERRA.  Employers are encouraged to provide the notice to employees in other ways, in addition to the required poster. However, employers must be careful in selecting USERRA compliance products from a supplier. By law, the products must ensure that the full text of the notice is included.

 The U.S. Department of Labor recently introduced the USERRA Advisor , a useful online tool for employers. The eLaws Advisor helps employers to understand a number of issues surrounding military service, including: (more…)

OSHA, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is warning employers to follow proper safety precautions in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike, and the related Midwest floods.

The federal agency has released several public service announcements to remind employers that they are still responsible for worker safety, even under such trying conditions as these natural disasters.

Employers should particularly be aware of the dangers of electrocution and falls from heights during the cleanup and recovery operations.

“In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, (more…)

 The federal government has a number of resources for employers affected by natural disasters.

In just the last two weeks, a number of regions have been struck by hurricanes, floods and other disasters. On September 2, Hurricane Gustav struck Louisiana, resulting in FEMA granting emergency assistance to 24 parishes.

On September 13, Hurricane Ike struck Texas and parts of Louisiana with devastating consequences for Galveston, Houston and other areas.

The storm systems continued north, and by September 14 had caused catastrophic flooding in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and parts of the Midwest.

The US Department of Labor has set aside $22.2 million in funds (more…)