After having spent years fighting for your nation, coming back to the real world and trying to lead a normal life can be quite a challenge. In the process of finding a stable job, there are cases where employers show a bias against veterans for several reasons. However, Karen DeSoto, human rights activist and legal analyst explains that veterans are protected under anti-discrimination laws at the workplace, allowing them to take necessary legal measures to protect their rights.
Here are a few things you should know –
The Uniformed Service Employment and Re-employment Rights Act
If you are able to prove that your claims are right, the employer may be compelled to reinstate your job, back pay, reimburse your lost benefits, restore your vacation leave, reimburse your attorney fees, correct your personal files, compensate for lost promotional opportunities if any, pursue pension adjustment and maybe even liquidate damages towards a willful violation.
The Family and Medical Leave Act
If you are able to prove that your employer is violating the FMLA, the law will compel your employer to remedy your lost wages, any actual monetary losses you incurred, attorney’s fees, lost benefits, and possibly liquidate damages for will-full violation. Typically, an employee has 2 years from the exact date of violation to sue their employers.
If your employer is violating any of the above laws, you can file a claim with the Department of Labor. Another option you have is to file a suit through your own attorney.
Karen DeSoto 