New federal data show a sustained increase in complaints under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, with DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service reporting more complaints in FY 2025 than it has received in one year since FY 2014.
After falling below 1,000 annual complaints for several years, USERRA filings increased from 862 in FY 2021 to 1,256 in FY 2025, VETS reported. The most common allegations involved military-service discrimination and reemployment rights. DOL referred 58 cases to the Justice Department and 18 cases to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for possible enforcement action.
Employers should assess whether their organizations have effective military leave and return-to-work policies, particularly where responsibility is shared among HR, managers, payroll, and benefits personnel.
Click here to read more from the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC), our affiliated nonprofit membership association. Members should review CWC’s Guide to the 2025 USERRA Amendments to ensure that their policies and procedures reflect recent statutory changes.