The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act, enacted by Congress in December 2004, mandates that employers provide the notice to "all persons entitled to rights and benefits under USERRA." Employers may meet this obligation by posting the notice in a prominent place where employees customarily check for such information.

USERRA protects the job rights of individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service. The law also prohibits employers from discriminating against past and present members of the uniformed services and applicants to the uniformed services.

"We are committed to ensuring that our brave men and women who are protecting our country's freedoms have the opportunities they deserve when they return to civilian life," said Chao. "We will work tirelessly to continue to keep National Guard and Reserve service members, their families, and employers informed about USERRA, the law that protects their jobs and benefits."

The USERRA poster is available at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/poster.pdf. Employers can obtain detailed information about USERRA by visiting www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/.

Publication date: 03/28/2005