USERRA Protections Have Far-Reaching Implications for Employers

"Wartime Duties," Lawdragon

This article is geared towards clarifying the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) for employers that have employees on military leave of five years or more. Protections afforded under USERRA have far-reaching implications, including exceptions that if misinterpreted, could be damaging to an employer. Mr. Jaffe and Mr. Boyer clarify these exceptions and stress the importance of employers understanding the intricacies of this legislation. Due to the length of the military conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as President Bush's declaration of a National Emergency in the war on terrorism, Mr. Jaffe and Mr. Boyer caution, "Employers should reacquaint themselves with USERRA's statutory obligations and the interpretive federal regulations before ringing any bells that cannot be unrung."