December 19, 2005: Headlines: Directors - Chao: Department of Labor: Military: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: Elaine Chao writes: Let's not forget our citizen soldiers

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Directors of the Peace Corps: Peace Corps Director Elaine Chao: Elaine Chao: Archived Stories: December 19, 2005: Headlines: Directors - Chao: Department of Labor: Military: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: Elaine Chao writes: Let's not forget our citizen soldiers

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Elaine Chao writes: Let's not forget our citizen soldiers

Elaine Chao writes: Let's not forget our citizen soldiers

"When I visited Iraq, in addition to our regular armed forces, I met many of our citizen soldiers. One that I remember well was a police officer and member of the Army Reserves, who was very proud that his expertise in criminal investigations was being put to good use in Iraq. He asked that I help ensure that reservists and guard members got a fair shake from their employers when they returned home." Elaine Chao was the first Asian American to serve as director of the Peace Corps. She has served as the nation's Secretary of Labor since 2001.

Elaine Chao writes: Let's not forget our citizen soldiers

ELAINE CHAO: Let's not forget our citizen soldiers

12/19/2005 7:05:44 AM
Daily Journal


During this holiday season, our thoughts turn to the many things for which we are thankful. In particular, let us remember our brave men and women in uniform who are defending our freedom in far away places. This includes the largest deployment of Reserves and National Guard members since World War II.

When I visited Iraq, in addition to our regular armed forces, I met many of our citizen soldiers. One that I remember well was a police officer and member of the Army Reserves, who was very proud that his expertise in criminal investigations was being put to good use in Iraq. He asked that I help ensure that reservists and guard members got a fair shake from their employers when they returned home.

I have never forgotten that conversation. The members of our Military Reserves and National Guard should not have to worry about their civilian jobs and benefits while defending our freedom abroad.

Protecting rights

Now there is a great new tool to help employers and returning veterans understand and protect their rights and responsibilities. On Dec. 29, the Department of Labor will publish the first-ever regulations implementing the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).

This landmark piece of legislation, enacted in 1994, protects the re-employment rights, health insurance coverage and pension benefits of past and present members of the Military Reserves and National Guard, other eligible uniformed service members, and those applying to join military service.

But these rights have not always been widely understood and appreciated because of the lack of regulations implementing USERRA - that is, until now.

The new USERRA regulations are comprehensive and written in plain English. The rules provide employers and employees with clear and consistent guidance on how USERRA applies to them. Most employers want to do the right thing for their employees, but they are sometimes unclear about their responsibilities. These rules help clarify the rights of citizen soldiers, and other eligible members of the uniformed services.

The Bush administration is backing up USERRA with aggressive outreach and enforcement to ensure that employers fully understand their obligations and service members have confidence that their rights will be protected.

With briefings, workplace posters, online USERRA assistance, and through 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers, the Labor Department is working diligently to get the word out about USERRA protections. The department also provides briefings and transition assistance to returning soldiers, and it works with employers so they understand their obligations under the law. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the department has provided information about USERRA protections to more than 300,000 returning soldiers and employers.

Employers and employees who are not familiar with USERRA can find comprehensive information about the new rules at www.dol.gov/elaws/USERRA.htm. Returning soldiers can complete online complaint forms at this Web site if they believe their rights have been violated.

Working with others

The Labor Department is not alone in this important effort to protect the rights of our nation's citizen soldiers, and other eligible members of the uniformed services. The Defense Department's National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and many veterans organizations - including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans - share our commitment. They are joining Labor in its campaign to encourage every employer in America to become familiar with their responsibilities under USERRA.

Members of the National Guard and Military Reserves are right there with all our men and women in uniform, protecting our freedom, guarding our homeland and helping to preserve our rights. We can honor their service in many ways.

The Department of Labor is proud to play a role in protecting their rights as they return to the civilian workforce, and to publicize and champion the talents and gifts that these brave men and women bring to the workforce.

They have been there for us. Now it's our turn to be there for them.

Elaine L. Chao is secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Readers may write to her at: Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20210.





When this story was posted in January 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:


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Story Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Directors - Chao; Department of Labor; Military

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