Employer Bulletin

Local WRS Employers
Vol. 22, Local E
April 5, 2005

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act Amends Rights and Duties Under USERRA

The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 [Pub. Law 108-454 (Dec. 10, 2004)] placed new responsibilities on employers through amendments to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). These amendments, intended to increase protection of the employment rights of individuals who leave employment positions to undertake military service, include:

• A requirement that every employer provide employees with a notice of the “rights, benefits, and obligations” of employees and employers under USERRA.
• An increase, from 18 to 24 months, in the maximum length of time that employers must offer existing employer sponsored health insurance to employees (and their dependents) serving in the military.

As specified in the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) Interim Final Rule [RIN 1293-AA14 published March 10, 2005], “Employers may provide the notice by posting it where employee notices are customarily placed. However, employers are free to provide the notice to employees in other ways that will minimize costs while ensuring that the full text of the notice is provided (e.g., by handing or mailing out the notice, or distributing the notice via electronic mail).”

The DOL’s one page notice is attached.

The DOL Final Rule is available.

Employers with questions should contact ETF’s Employer Communication Center at (608) 264-7900.