Four Things You May Not Know About … USERRA

In the second in a series of blogs examining often overlooked or misunderstood provisions of common employment laws, today we are covering four things employers may not know about the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ("USERRA").

USERRA generally protects military service members and veterans from discrimination based on their military service. Among other protections, covered employees may not be denied initial employment, reemployment (in accordance with USERRA's terms, discussed further below), promotion, or any benefit of employment because of their service status. USERRA also provides employees the right to elect to continue existing employer-provided health coverage for up to 24 months during uniformed service or, if not electing continued coverage, the right to be reinstated to their employer's health plan upon reemployment without any waiting periods or exclusions (other than for service-connected illnesses or injuries).