Reservists Complain of HR Problems

WASHINGTON – Some companies are shirking their responsibilities in their support of employees sent or returning from active military duty. According to the Labor Department, some 1,300 National Guardsmen and reservists have filed complaints of discrimination at work after their tours of duty. The Labor Department states that some 20% of complaints stemmed from not being reinstated, one-third missed out on jobs and promotions, and the remainder are comprised of vacation, seniority and pension issues. So far 79 of the cases have been referred to the Department of Justice. Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act it is illegal to discriminate against military personnel mobilized for duty. Returning personnel are supposed to be allowed to return to their same, or a comparable job, complete with any pay raises or promotions they might have otherwise received if they had remained at work. The complaints have sparked a “They did their job-now let’s do ours” public service announcement featuring Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao reminding employers that they must reinstate staffers called to military duty. There are in upwards of 163,000 Reserve and Guardsmen now on active duty.