USERRA Lawyer Protects Employment Rights of Service Members in Atlanta

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act or USERRA is a federal law that protects the employment rights of current and former members of the U.S. military and certain other services. USERRA is intended to reduce the difficulties service members often face when they take time away from work to serve their country.

The law establishes basic responsibilities for employers and prohibits them from discriminating against current or former military personnel. If you think an employer may have violated your rights under USERRA, consider talking to an Atlanta employment law attorney to find out if you are eligible to receive compensation or other forms of relief.

Protections Provided by USERRA for Atlanta Workers

Many of the provisions of USERRA protect employees who leave civilian jobs to work in the uniformed service. The law gives workers the right to be reemployed by a civilian employer after their service so long as they give appropriate notice and meet other requirements. When employees in Atlanta are reinstated after service, they are supposed to be placed in the same type of job with the same benefits they would have received if they had not been away for duty. Also, workers who leave for military service have the right to continue their employer-based health coverage for up to two years or to have that coverage reinstated when they return to work.

The discrimination protections of USERRA apply not only to employees returning to jobs they left, but also to current or former service members seeking new employment. Companies are not allowed to discriminate in decisions involving hiring, retaining, promoting, or granting benefits to anyone based on their past, present, or future military service. Additionally, employers must not take any actions that could be considered retaliation when workers exercise their rights under USERRA and they are not supposed to fire reinstated employees without cause for a certain period of time.

Who is Protected by USERRA?

USERRA provisions provide specific employment rights to current and former members of the “uniformed services.” Under38 U.S.C. §4303 (16) this term includes those serving in the:

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• Marine Corps
• Space Force
• Coast Guard
• Army National Guard or Air National Guard
• Commissioned corps of the Public Health Service
• Commissioned officer corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Certain other capacities in times of war or national emergency

The protections of USERRA apply regardless of whether individuals serve voluntarily or are drafted into service.

USERRA Remedies Available in Atlanta

When uniformed services workers in Atlanta believe their USERRA rights have been violated, the law gives them two ways to seek relief. They may file a lawsuit against the employer or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service, known as VETS.

If a worker is found to have suffered from illegal discrimination or other violations, they could receive compensation to make up for losses such as back pay. They may also receive specific relief including: 

• Reinstatement in a job
• Corrections made to personnel files
• Retroactive seniority
• Restored vacation time
• Promotion
• Benefits
• Pension adjustments

If a USERRA attorney can prove in court that an employer’s violation was “willful,” the service member may be entitled to receive double the amount as liquidated damages.

Talk to an Atlanta Employment Lawyer Ready to Fight for Your USERRA Rights

At The Leach Firm, P.A., we understand how to protect the rights of service members using all available provisions of USERRA and other state and federal laws. Contact us for a free case evaluation to find out how we could help in your situation.