When Johnny (Or Joanna) Comes Marching Home Again: Are You On Top of USERRA?

This session of Labor and Employment Inner Workings took place on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

Earlier this year, President Obama announced his plan to withdraw nearly all of the U.S. combat troops in Iraq by August 2010. With approximately 90,000 troops returning home during the next 12 months, employers need to be aware of their obligations under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and must understand how to reinstate and accommodate employees returning from military leave.

Foley attorneys Jeffrey S. Kopp and Carmen N. Couden discussed the basics of USERRA and offered advice regarding this increasingly hot area of the law. Topics included:

• Coverage of employers and employees under USERRA
  
• Notice of leave requirements
  
• Employer obligations with respect to employee benefits during military leave
  
• The escalator principle and reemployment rights following military leave
  
• Special accommodation of disabled veterans
  
• Prohibited discrimination and retaliation under USERRA
  
• USERRA’s interaction with the FMLA, ADA, and workers’ compensation laws

For more information, please contact Kristen Martin at [email protected] or 312.832.4725.

Carmen Couden is the attorney responsible for the content of this program.