What Rights Do Military Personnel Have Against Wrongful Termination?

No, employers cannot legally fire you because of your military service. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) explicitly prohibits employers from terminating employees based on their past, present, or future military obligations. This federal law applies to all employers regardless of size—whether you work for a small

What Employment Protections Are Available for Military Spouses?

Military spouses face unique employment challenges that most workers never encounter. With unemployment rates hovering around 20%—four times the national average—and frequent relocations disrupting career paths, military families often struggle financially despite their service and sacrifice. While USERRA protects service members’ jobs, spouses must navigate a different patchwork of federal

What Workplace Protections Do National Guard and Reserve Members Have?

National Guard and Reserve members have robust federal and state employment protections that safeguard their civilian careers during military service. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) serves as the primary federal law protecting these service members, while the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides additional financial and

What Is Veterans’ Preference in Employment and How Can You Claim It?

Veterans’ preference gives eligible veterans and certain family members an advantage when applying for federal government jobs and, in many cases, state and local positions. This preference system adds points to your examination scores, provides priority consideration during hiring, and offers protections during reductions in force. Understanding how to navigate

What Legal Protections Exist Against Discrimination Based on Military Service or Status?

Military service members make significant sacrifices to protect our nation, yet many return home to face discrimination in the civilian workplace. Whether you’re an active duty member, reservist, National Guard member, or veteran, understanding your employment protections is essential for safeguarding your career and livelihood. Employment discrimination based on military

What Rights Do Employees Have When Taking Military Leave?

If you’re a service member wondering whether your civilian job is protected during military duty, the answer is yes. Under federal law, you have extensive rights that protect your employment, benefits, and career advancement while serving your country. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides these protections

What Are Your Reemployment Rights Under USERRA?

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) guarantees that service members who leave civilian jobs for military duty have the right to return to those jobs with the same seniority, status, and pay they would have earned if they had never left. If you’re a member of the

Can Employees Join Forces to Recover Unpaid Wages Through Collective Actions?

Yes—employees who share similar wage violations can join together in an FLSA collective action to recover unpaid wages, overtime compensation, and liquidated damages from their employer. This legal mechanism allows workers to pool resources and challenge systemic wage and hour violations that would be impractical to pursue individually. Under Section

What Is Wage Theft and How Can New York Employees Fight Back?

Wage theft occurs when employers fail to pay workers the full wages they’ve legally earned—whether through unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, illegal deductions, or misclassification schemes. In New York, employees have powerful protections under both federal and state law, and as of September 2023, wage theft is classified as larceny