Alerts

New Notice Requirement and Extended Health Care Continuation Period Under USERRA

April 28, 2005

Effective March 10, 2005, all employers are required to provide a notice to employees of their rights, benefits and obligations under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (“USERRA”). USERRA is a federal law that protects the job rights of individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service. The law also prohibits employers from discriminating against past and present members of the uniformed services and applicants to the uniformed services. The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 amended USERRA by: (1) adding the notice requirement and (2) extending the maximum health care continuation period for USERRA covered employees and their eligible dependents from 18 to 24 months.