Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act - Title 38, USC, Sections 4301-4333 (38 U.S.C. 4301-4333)

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides reemployment protection and other benefits for veterans and employees who perform military service. (1) The Act sets forth the rights and responsibilities of U.S. National Guard (USNG) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) members, as well as their civilian employers.

CHAPTER 43--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL
4301. Purposes; sense of Congress.
4302. Relation to other law and plans or agreements.
4303. Definitions.
4304. Character of service.
SUBCHAPTER II--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS AND
LIMITATIONS; PROHIBITIONS
4311. Discrimination against persons who serve in the uniformed services and acts of
reprisal prohibited.
4312. Reemployment rights of persons who serve in the uniformed services.
4313. Reemployment positions.
4314. Reemployment by the Federal Government.
4315. Reemployment by certain Federal agencies.
4316. Rights, benefits, and obligations of persons absent from employment for service in
a uniformed service.
4317. Health plans.
4318. Employee pension benefit plans.
4319. Employment and reemployment rights in foreign countries
SUBCHAPTER III--PROCEDURES FOR ASSISTANCE, ENFORCEMENT, AND
INVESTIGATION
4321. Assistance in obtaining reemployment or other employment rights or benefits.
4322. Enforcement of employment or reemployment rights.
4323. Enforcement of rights with respect to a State or private employer.
4324. Enforcement of rights with respect to Federal executive agencies.
4325. Enforcement of rights with respect to certain Federal agencies.
4326. Conduct of investigation; subpoenas.
SUBCHAPTER IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
4331. Regulations.
4332. Reports.
4333. Outreach.

SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL
§ 4301. Purposes; sense of Congress
(a) The purposes of this chapter are--
(1) to encourage noncareer service in the uniformed services by eliminating or
minimizing the disadvantages to civilian careers and employment which can
result from such service;
(2) to minimize the disruption to the lives of persons performing service in the
uniformed services as well as to their employers, their fellow employees, and their
communities, by providing for the prompt reemployment of such persons upon
their completion of such service; and
(3) to prohibit discrimination against persons because of their service in the
uniformed services.
(b) It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should be a model employer
in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
§ 4302. Relation to other law and plans or agreements
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall supersede, nullify or diminish any Federal or State law
(including any local law or ordinance), contract, agreement, policy, plan, practice, or
other matter that establishes a right or benefit that is more beneficial to, or is in addition
to, a right or benefit provided for such person in this chapter.
(b) This chapter supersedes any State law (including any local law or ordinance),
contract, agreement, policy, plan, practice, or other matter that reduces, limits, or
eliminates in any manner any right or benefit provided by this chapter, including the
establishment of additional prerequisites to the exercise of any such right or the receipt of
any such benefit.
§ 4303. Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter--
(1) The term 'Attorney General' means the Attorney General of the United States or any
person designated by the Attorney General to carry out a responsibility of the Attorney
General under this chapter.
(2) The term 'benefit', 'benefit of employment', or 'rights and benefits' means any
advantage, profit, privilege, gain, status, account, or interest (other than wages or salary
for work performed) that accrues by reason of an employment contract or agreement or
an employer policy, plan, or practice and includes rights and benefits under a pension
plan, a health plan, an employee stock ownership plan, insurance coverage and awards,
bonuses, severance pay, supplemental unemployment benefits, vacations, and the
opportunity to select work hours or location of employment.
(3) The term 'employee' means any person employed by an employer. Such term includes
any person who is a citizen, national or permanent resident alien of the United States
employed in a workplace in a foreign country by an employer that is an entity
incorporated or otherwise organized in the United States or that is controlled by an entity
organized in the United States, within the meaning of Section 4319(c) of this title.
(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the term 'employer' means any
person, institution, organization, or other entity that pays salary or wages for work
performed or that has control over employment opportunities, including--
(i) a person, institution, organization, or other entity to whom the
employer has delegated the performance of employment-related
responsibilities;
(ii) the Federal Government;
(iii) a State;
(iv) any successor in interest to a person, institution, organization, or other
entity referred to in this subparagraph; and
(v) a person, institution, organization, or other entity that has denied initial
employment in violation of section 4311.
(B) In the case of a National Guard technician employed under section 709 of title
32, the term 'employer' means the adjutant general of the State in which the
technician is employed.
(C) Except as an actual employer of employees, an employee pension benefit plan
described in section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002(2)) shall be deemed to be an employer only with respect to
the obligation to provide benefits described in section 4318.
(5) The term 'Federal executive agency' includes the United States Postal Service, the
Postal Rate Commission, any nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the United States,
any Executive agency (as that term is defined in section 105 of title 5) other than an
agency referred to in section 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii) of title 5, and any military department (as
that term is defined in section 102 of title 5) with respect to the civilian employees of that
department.
(6) The term 'Federal Government' includes any Federal executive agency, the legislative
branch of the United States, and the judicial branch of the United States.
(7) The term 'health plan' means an insurance policy or contract, medical or hospital
service agreement, membership or subscription contract, or other arrangement under
which health services for individuals are provided or the expenses of such services are
paid.
(8) The term 'notice' means (with respect to subchapter II) any written or verbal
notification of an obligation or intention to perform service in the uniformed services
provided to an employer by the employee who will perform such service or by the
uniformed service in which such service is to be performed.
(9) The term 'qualified', with respect to an employment position, means having the ability
to perform the essential tasks of the position.
(10) The term 'reasonable efforts', in the case of actions required of an employer under
this chapter, means actions, including training provided by an employer, that do not place
an undue hardship on the employer.
(11) Notwithstanding section 101, the term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Labor or
any person designated by such Secretary to carry out an activity under this chapter.
(12) The term 'seniority' means longevity in employment together with any benefits of
employment which accrue with, or are determined by, longevity in employment.
(13) The term 'service in the uniformed services' means the performance of duty on a
voluntary or involuntary basis in a uniformed service under competent authority and
include active duty, active duty for training, initial active duty for training, inactive duty
training, full-time National Guard duty, a period for which such person is absent from a
position of employment for the purpose of an examination to determine the fitness of the
person to perform any such duty, and a period for which a person is absent from a
position of employment for the purpose of performing funeral honors duty as authorized
by section 12503 of title 10 or section 115 of title 32.
(14) The term 'State' means each of the several States of the United States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and other
territories of the United States (including the agencies and political subdivisions thereof).
(15) The term 'undue hardship', in the case of actions taken by an employer, means
actions requiring significant difficulty or expense, when considered in light of--
(A) the nature and cost of the action needed under this chapter;
(B) the overall financial resources of the facility or facilities involved in the
provision of the action; the number of persons employed at such facility; the
effect on expenses and resources, or the impact otherwise of such action upon the
operation of the facility;
(C) the overall financial resources of the employer; the overall size of the business
of an employer with respect to the number of its employees; the number, type, and
location of its facilities; and
(D) the type of operation or operations of the employer, including the
composition, structure, and functions of the work force of such employer; the
geographic separateness, administrative, or fiscal relationship of the facility or
facilities in question to the employer.
(16) The term 'uniformed services' means the Armed Forces, the Army National Guard
and the Air National Guard when engaged in active duty for training, inactive duty
training, or full-time National Guard duty, the commissioned corps of the Public Health
Service, and any other category of persons designated by the President in time of war or
national emergency.
§ 4304. Character of service
A person's entitlement to the benefits of this chapter by reason of the service of such
person in one of the uniformed services terminates upon the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(1) A separation of such person from such uniformed service with a dishonorable
or bad conduct discharge.
(2) A separation of such person from such uniformed service under other than
honorable conditions, as characterized pursuant to regulations prescribed by the
Secretary concerned.
(3) A dismissal of such person permitted under section 1161(a) of title 10.
(4) A dropping of such person from the rolls pursuant to section 1161(b) of title 10.
SUBCHAPTER II--EMPLOYMENT AND
REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS;
PROHIBITIONS
§ 4311. Discrimination against persons who serve in the
uniformed services and acts of reprisal prohibited
(a) A person who is a member of, applies to be a member of, performs, has performed,
applies to perform, or has an obligation to perform service in a uniformed service shall
not be denied initial employment, reemployment, retention in employment, promotion, or
any benefit of employment by an employer on the basis of that membership, application
for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation.
(b) An employer may not discriminate in employment against or take any adverse
employment action against any person because such person (1) has taken an action to
enforce a protection afforded any person under this chapter, (2) has testified or otherwise
made a statement in or in connection with any proceeding under this chapter, (3) has
assisted or otherwise participated in an investigation under this chapter, or (4) has
exercised a right provided for in this chapter. The prohibition in this subsection shall
apply with respect to a person regardless of whether that person has performed service in
the uniformed services.
(c) An employer shall be considered to have engaged in actions prohibited-
(1) under subsection (a), if the person's membership, application for membership,
service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services
is a motivating factor in the employer's action, unless the employer can prove that
the action would have been taken in the absence of such membership, application
for membership, service, application for service, or obligation for service; or
(2) under subsection (b), if the person's (A) action to enforce a protection afforded
any person under this chapter, (B) testimony or making of a statement in or in
connection with any proceeding under this chapter, (C) assistance or other
participation in an investigation under this chapter, or (D) exercise of a right
provided for in this chapter, is a motivating factor in the employer's action, unless
the employer can prove that the action would have been taken in the absence of
such person's enforcement action, testimony, statement, assistance, participation,
or exercise of a right.
(d) The prohibitions in subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to any position of employment,
including a position that is described in section 4312(d)(1)(C) of this title.
§ 4312. Reemployment rights of persons who serve in the
uniformed services
(a) Subject to subsections (b), (c), and (d) and to section 4304, any person whose absence
from a position of employment is necessitated by reason of service in the uniformed
services shall be entitled to the reemployment rights and benefits and other employment
benefits of this chapter if--
(1) the person (or an appropriate officer of the uniformed service in which such
service is performed) has given advance written or verbal notice of such service to
such person's employer;
(2) the cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences from a
position of employment with that employer by reason of service in the uniformed
services does not exceed five years; and
(3) except as provided in subsection (f), the person reports to, or submits an
application for reemployment to, such employer in accordance with the provisions
of subsection (e).
(b) No notice is required under subsection (a)(1) if the giving of such notice is precluded
by military necessity or, under all of the relevant circumstances, the giving of such notice
is otherwise impossible or unreasonable. A determination of military necessity for the
purposes of this subsection shall be made pursuant to regulations prescribed by the
Secretary of Defense and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(c) Subsection (a) shall apply to a person who is absent from a position of employment by
reason of service in the uniformed services if such person's cumulative period of service
in the uniformed services, with respect to the employer relationship for which a person
seeks reemployment, does not exceed five years, except that any such period of service
shall not include any service--
(1) that is required, beyond five years, to complete an initial period of obligated
service;
(2) during which such person was unable to obtain orders releasing such person
from a period of service in the uniformed services before the expiration of such
five-year period and such inability was through no fault of such person;
(3) performed as required pursuant to section 10147 of title 10, under section
502(a) or 503 of title 32, or to fulfill additional training requirements determined
and certified in writing by the Secretary concerned, to be necessary for
professional development, or for completion of skill training or retraining; or
(4) performed by a member of a uniformed service who is--
(A) ordered to or retained on active duty under section 688, 12301(a),
12301(g), 12302, 12304, or 12305 of title 10 or under section 331, 332,
359, 360, 367, or 712 of title 14;
(B) ordered to or retained on active duty (other than for training) under
any provision of law because of a war or national emergency declared by
the President or the Congress. as determined by the Secretary concerned;
(C) ordered to active duty (other than for training) in support, as
determined by the Secretary concerned, of an operational mission for
which personnel have been ordered to active duty under section 12304 of
title 10;
(D) ordered to active duty in support, as determined by the Secretary
concerned, of a critical mission or requirement of the uniformed services;
or
(E) called into Federal service as a member of the National Guard under
chapter 15 of title 10 or under section 12406 of title 10.
(d)(1) An employer is not required to reemploy a person under this chapter if--
(A) the employer's circumstances have so changed as to make such
reemployment impossible or unreasonable;
(B) in the case of a person entitled to reemployment under subsection
(a)(3), (a)(4), or (b)(2)(B) of section 4313, such employment would
impose an undue hardship on the employer; or
(C) the employment from which the person leaves to serve in the
uniformed services is for a brief, nonrecurrent period and there is no
reasonable expectation that such employment will continue indefinitely or
for a significant period.
(2) In any proceeding involving an issue of whether--
(A) any reemployment referred to in paragraph (1) is impossible or
unreasonable because of a change in an employer's circumstances,
(B) any accommodation, training, or effort referred to in subsection (a)(3),
(a)(4), or (b)(2)(B) of section 4313 would impose an undue hardship on
the employer, or
(C) the employment referred to in paragraph (1)(C) is for a brief,
nonrecurrent period and there is no reasonable expectation that such
employment will continue indefinitely or for a significant period, the
employer shall have the burden of proving the impossibility or
unreasonableness, undue hardship, or the brief or nonrecurrent nature of
the employment without a reasonable expectation of continuing
indefinitely or for a significant period.
(e)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person referred to in subsection (a) shall, upon the
completion of a period of service in the uniformed services, notify the employer referred
to in such subsection of the person's intent to return to a position of employment with
such employer as follows:
(A) In the case of a person whose period of service in the uniformed
services was less than 31 days, by reporting to the employer--
(i) not later than the beginning of the first full regularly scheduled
work period on the first full calendar day following the completion
of the period of service and the expiration of eight hours after a
period allowing for the safe transportation of the person from the
place of that service to the person's residence; or
(ii) as soon as possible after the expiration of the eight-hour period
referred to in clause (I), if reporting within the period referred to in
such clause is impossible or unreasonable through no fault of the
person.
(B) In the case of a person who is absent from a position of employment
for a period of any length for the purposes of an examination to determine
the person's fitness to perform service in the uniformed services, by
reporting in the manner and time referred to in subparagraph (A).
(C) In the case of a person whose period of service in the uniformed
services was for more than 30 days but less than 181 days, by submitting
an application for reemployment with the employer not later than 14 days
after the completion of the period of service or if submitting such
application within such period is impossible or unreasonable through no
fault of the person, the next first full calendar day when submission of
such application becomes possible.
(D) In the case of a person whose period of service in the uniformed
services was for more than 180 days, by submitting an application for
reemployment with the employer not later than 90 days after the
completion of the period of service.
(2)(A) A person who is hospitalized for, or convalescing from, an illness or injury
incurred in, or aggravated during, the performance of service in the uniformed
services shall, at the end of the period that is necessary for the person to recover
from such illness or injury, report to the person's employer (in the case of a person
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)) or submit an application
for reemployment with such employer (in the case of a person described in
subparagraph (C) or (D) of such paragraph). Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), such period of recovery may not exceed two years.
(B) Such two-year period shall be extended by the minimum time required
to accommodate the circumstances beyond such person's control which
make reporting within the period specified in subparagraph (A) impossible
or unreasonable.
(3) A person who fails to report or apply for employment or reemployment within
the appropriate period specified in this subsection shall not automatically forfeit
such person's entitlement to the rights and benefits referred to in subsection (a)
but shall be subject to the conduct rules, established policy, and general practices
of the employer pertaining to explanations and discipline with respect to absence
from scheduled work.
(f)(1) A person who submits an application for reemployment in accordance with
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection (e)(1) or subsection (e)(2) shall provide to the
person's employer (upon the request of such employer) documentation to establish that--
(A) the person's application is timely;
(B) the person has not exceeded the service limitations set forth in
subsection (a)(2) (except as permitted under subsection (c)); and
(C) the person's entitlement to the benefits under this chapter has not been
terminated pursuant to section 4304.
(2) Documentation of any matter referred to in paragraph (1) that satisfies
regulations prescribed by the Secretary shall satisfy the documentation
requirements in such paragraph.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the failure of a person to provide
documentation that satisfies regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (2) shall
not be a basis for denying reemployment in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter if the failure occurs because such documentation does not exist or is not
readily available at the time of the request of the employer. If, after such
reemployment, documentation becomes available that establishes that such person
does not meet one or more of the requirements referred to in subparagraphs (A),
(B), and (C) of paragraph (1), the employer of such person may terminate the
employment of the person and the provision of any rights or benefits afforded the
person under this chapter.
(B) An employer who reemploys a person absent from a position of
employment for more than 90 days may require that the person provide the
employer with the documentation referred to in subparagraph (A) before
beginning to treat the person as not having incurred a break in service for
pension purposes under section 4318(a)(2)(A).
(4) An employer may not delay or attempt to defeat a reemployment obligation by
demanding documentation that does not then exist or is not then readily available.
(g) The right of a person to reemployment under this section shall not entitle such person
to retention, preference, or displacement rights over any person with a superior claim
under the provisions of title 5, United States Code, relating to veterans and other
preference eligible.
(h) In any determination of a person's entitlement to protection under this chapter, the
timing, frequency, and duration of the person's training or service, or the nature of such
training or service (including voluntary service) in the uniformed services, shall not be a
basis for denying protection of this chapter if the service does not exceed the limitations
set forth in subsection (c) and the notice requirements established in subsection (a)(1) and
the notification requirements established in subsection (e) are met.
§ 4313. Reemployment positions
(a) Subject to subsection (b) (in the case of any employee) and sections 4314 and 4315
(in the case of an employee of the Federal Government), a person entitled to
reemployment under section 4312, upon completion of a period of service in the
uniformed services, shall be promptly reemployed in a position of employment in
accordance with the following order of priority:
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of a person whose
period of service in the uniformed services was for less than 91 days--
(A) in the position of employment in which the person would have been
employed if the continuous employment of such person with the employer
had not been interrupted by such service, the duties of which the person is
qualified to perform; or
(B) in the position of employment in which the person was employed on
the date of the commencement of the service in the uniformed services,
only if the person is not qualified to perform the duties of the position
referred to in subparagraph (A) after reasonable efforts by the employer to
qualify the person.
(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of a person whose
period of service in the uniformed services was for more than 90 days--
(A) in the position of employment in which the person would have been
employed if the continuous employment of such person with the employer
had not been interrupted by such service, or a position of like seniority,
status and pay, the duties of which the person is qualified to perform; or
(B) in the position of employment in which the person was employed on
the date of the commencement of the service in the uniformed services, or
a position of like seniority, status and pay, the duties of which the person
is qualified to perform, only if the person is not qualified to perform the
duties of a position referred to in subparagraph (A) after reasonable efforts
by the employer to qualify the person.
(3) In the case of a person who has a disability incurred in, or aggravated during,
such service, and who (after reasonable efforts by the employer to accommodate
the disability) is not qualified due to such disability to be employed in the position
of employment in which the person would have been employed if the continuous
employment of such person with the employer had not been interrupted by such
service—
(A) in any other position which is equivalent in seniority, status, and pay,
the duties of which the person is qualified to perform or would become
qualified to perform with reasonable efforts by the employer; or
(B) if not employed under subparagraph (A), in a position which is the
nearest approximation to a position referred to in subparagraph (A) in
terms of seniority, status, and pay consistent with circumstances of such
person's case.
(4) In the case of a person who (A) is not qualified to be employed in (i) the
position of employment in which the person would have been employed if the
continuous employment of such person with the employer had not been
interrupted by such service, or (ii) in the position of employment in which such
person was employed on the date of the commencement of the service in the
uniform services for any reason (other than disability incurred in, or aggravated
during, service in the uniformed services), and (B) cannot become qualified with
reasonable efforts by the employer, in any other position which is the nearest
approximation to a position referred to first in clause (A)(I) and then in clause
(A)(ii) which such person is qualified to perform, with full seniority.
(b)(1) If two or more persons are entitled to reemployment under section 4312 in the
same position of employment and more than one of them has reported for such
reemployment, the person who left the position first shall have the prior right to
reemployment in that position.
(2) Any person entitled to reemployment under section 4312 who is not
reemployed in a position of employment by reason of paragraph (1) shall be
entitled to be reemployed as follows:
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in any other position of
employment referred to in subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2), as the case may be
(in the order of priority set out in the applicable subsection), that provides
a similar status and pay to a position of employment referred to in
paragraph (1) of this subsection, consistent with the circumstances of such
person's case, with full seniority.
(B) In the case of a person who has a disability incurred in, or aggravated
during, a period of service in the uniformed services that requires
reasonable efforts by the employer for the person to be able to perform the
duties of the position of employment, in any other position referred to in
subsection (a)(3) (in the order of priority set out in that subsection) that
provides a similar status and pay to a position referred to in paragraph (1)
of this subsection, consistent with circumstances of such person's case,
with full seniority.
§ 4314. Reemployment by the Federal Government
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), if a person is entitled to
reemployment by the Federal Government under section 4312, such person shall be
reemployed in a position of employment as described in section 4313.
(b)(1) If the Director of the Office of Personnel Management makes a determination
described in paragraph (2) with respect to a person who was employed by a Federal
executive agency at the time the person entered the service from which the person seeks
reemployment under this section, the Director shall--
(A) identify a position of like seniority, status, and pay at another Federal
executive agency that satisfies the requirements of section 4313 and for
which the person is qualified; and
(B) ensure that the person is offered such position.
(2) The Director shall carry out the duties referred to in subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of paragraph (1) if the Director determines that--
(A) the Federal executive agency that employed the person referred to in
such paragraph no longer exists and the functions of such agency have not
been transferred to another Federal executive agency; or
(B) it is impossible or unreasonable for the agency to reemploy the person.
(c) If the employer of a person described in subsection (a) was, at the time such person
entered the service from which such person seeks reemployment under this section, a part
of the judicial branch or the legislative branch of the Federal Government, and such
employer determines that it is impossible or unreasonable for such employer to reemploy
such person, such person shall, upon application to the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management, be ensured an offer of employment in an alternative position in a
Federal executive agency on the basis described in subsection (b).
(d) If the adjutant general of a State determines that it is impossible or unreasonable to
reemploy a person who was a National Guard technician employed under section 709 of
title 32, such person shall, upon application to the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, be ensured an offer of employment in an alternative position in a Federal
executive agency on the basis described in subsection (b).
§ 4315. Reemployment by certain Federal agencies
(a) The head of each agency referred to in section 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii) of title 5 shall
prescribe procedures for ensuring that the rights under this chapter apply to the
employees of such agency.
(b) In prescribing procedures under subsection (a), the head of an agency referred to in
that subsection shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the procedures of
the agency for reemploying persons who serve in the uniformed services provide for the
reemployment of such persons in the agency in a manner similar to the manner of
reemployment described in section 4313.
(c)(1) The procedures prescribed under subsection (a) shall designate an official at the
agency who shall determine whether or not the reemployment of a person referred to in
subsection (b) by the agency is impossible or unreasonable.
(2) Upon making a determination that the reemployment by the agency of a
person referred to in subsection (b) is impossible or unreasonable, the official
referred to in paragraph (1) shall notify the person and the Director of the Office
of Personnel Management of such determination.
(3) A determination pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to judicial
review.
(4) The head of each agency referred to in subsection (a) shall submit to the Select
Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate
and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives on an annual basis a report on
the number of persons whose reemployment with the agency was determined
under this subsection to be impossible or unreasonable during the year preceding
the report, including the reason for each such determination.
(d)(1) Except as provided in this section, nothing in this section, section 4313, or section
4325 shall be construed to exempt any agency referred to in subsection (a) from
compliance with any other substantive provision of this chapter.
(2) This section may not be construed--
(A) as prohibiting an employee of an agency referred to in subsection (a)
from seeking information from the Secretary regarding assistance in
seeking reemployment from the agency under this chapter, alternative
employment in the Federal Government under this chapter, or information
relating to the rights and obligations of employee and Federal agencies
under this chapter; or
(B) as prohibiting such an agency from voluntarily cooperating with or
seeking assistance in or of clarification from the Secretary or the Director
of the Office of Personnel Management of any matter arising under this
chapter.
(e) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall ensure the offer of
employment to a person in a position in a Federal executive agency on the basis
described in subsection (b) if--
(1) the person was an employee of an agency referred to in section
2302(a)(2)(C)(ii) of title 5 at the time the person entered the service from which
the person seeks reemployment under this section;
(2) the appropriate officer of the agency determines under subsection (c) that
reemployment of the person by the agency is impossible or unreasonable; and
(3) the person submits an application to the Director for an offer of employment
under this subsection.
§ 4316. Rights, benefits, and obligations of persons absent from
employment for service in a uniformed service
(a) A person who is reemployed under this chapter is entitled to the seniority and other
rights and benefits determined by seniority that the person had on the date of the
commencement of service in the uniformed services plus the additional seniority and
rights and benefits that such person would have attained if the person had remained
continuously employed.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (6), a person who is absent from a position of
employment by reason of service in the uniformed services shall be--
(A) deemed to be on furlough or leave of absence while performing such
service; and
(B) entitled to such other rights and benefits not determined by seniority as
are generally provided by the employer of the person to employees having
similar seniority, status, and pay who are on furlough or leave of absence
under a contract, agreement, policy, practice, or plan in effect at the
commencement of such service or established while such person performs
such service.
(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a person who--
(i) is absent from a position of employment by reason of service in
the uniformed services, and
(ii) knowingly provides written notice of intent not to return to a
position of employment after service in the uniformed service, is
not entitled to rights and benefits under paragraph (1)(B).
(B) For the purposes of subparagraph (A), the employer shall have the
burden of proving that a person knowingly provided clear written notice of
intent not to return to a position of employment after service in the
uniformed service and, in doing so, was aware of the specific rights and
benefits to be lost under subparagraph (A).
(3) A person deemed to be on furlough or leave of absence under this subsection
while serving in the uniformed services shall not be entitled under this subsection
to any benefits to which the person would not otherwise be entitled if the person
had remained continuously employed.
(4) Such person may be required to pay the employee cost, if any, of any funded
benefit continued pursuant to paragraph (1) to the extent other employees on
furlough or leave of absence are so required.
(5) The entitlement of a person to coverage under a health plan is provided for
under section 4317.
(6) The entitlement of a person to a right or benefit under an employee pension
benefit plan is provided for under section 4318.
(c) A person who is reemployed by an employer under this chapter shall not be
discharged from such employment, except for cause--
(1) within one year after the date of such reemployment, if the person's period of
service before the reemployment was more than 180 days; or
(2) within 180 days after the date of such reemployment, if the person's period of
service before the reemployment was more than 30 days but less than 181 days.
(d) Any person whose employment with an employer is interrupted by a period of service
in the uniformed services shall be permitted, upon request of that person, to use during
such period of service any vacation, annual, or similar leave with pay accrued by the
person before the commencement of such service. No employer may require any such
person to use vacation, annual, or similar leave during such period of service.
(e)(1) An employer shall grant an employee who is a member of a reserve component an
authorized leave of absence from a position of employment to allow that employee to
perform funeral honors duty as authorized by section 12503 of title 10 or section 115.
(2) For purposes of section 4312 (e)(1) of this title, an employee who takes an
authorized leave of absence under paragraph (1) is deemed to have notified the
employer of the employee's intent to return of such position of employment
§ 4317. Health plans
(a)(1) In any case in which a person (or the person's dependents) has coverage under a
health plan in connection with the person's position of employment, including a group
health plan (as defined in section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974), and such person is absent from such position of employment by reason of
service in the uniformed services, the plan shall provide that the person may elect to
continue such coverage as provided in this subsection. The maximum period of coverage
of a person and the person's dependents under such an election shall be the lesser of--
(A) the 18-month period beginning on the date on which the person's
absence begins; or
(B) the day after the date on which the person fails to apply for or return to
a position of employment, as determined under section 4312(e).
(2) A person who elects to continue health-plan coverage under this paragraph
may be required to pay not more than 102 percent of the full premium under the
plan (determined in the same manner as the applicable premium under section
4980B(f)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) associated with such coverage
for the employer's other employees, except that in the case of a person who
performs service in the uniformed services for less than 31 days, such person may
not be required to pay more than the employee share, if any, for such coverage.
(3) In the case of a health plan that is a multiemployer plan, as defined in section
3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, any liability
under the plan for employer contributions and benefits arising under this
paragraph shall be allocated--
(A) by the plan in such manner as the plan sponsor shall provide; or
(B) if the sponsor does not provide--
(i) to the last employer employing the person before the period
served by the person in the uniformed services, or
(ii) if such last employer is no longer functional, to the plan.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the case of a person whose coverage under
a health plan was terminated by reason of service in the uniformed services, an exclusion
or waiting period may not be imposed in connection with the reinstatement of such
coverage upon reemployment under this chapter if an exclusion or waiting period would
not have been imposed under a health plan had coverage of such person by such plan not
been terminated as a result of such service. This paragraph applies to the person who is
reemployed and to any individual who is covered by such plan by reason of the
reinstatement of the coverage of such person.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the coverage of any illness or injury
determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to have been incurred in, or
aggravated during performance of service in the uniformed services.
§ 4318. Employee pension benefit plans
(a)(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in the case of a right provided pursuant
to an employee pension benefit plan (including those described in sections 3(2) and 3(33)
of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) or a right provided under any
Federal or State law governing pension benefits for governmental employees, the right to
pension benefits of a person reemployed under this chapter shall be determined under this
section.
(B) In the case of benefits under the Thrift Savings Plan, the rights of a
person reemployed under this chapter shall be those rights provided in
section 8432b of title 5. The first sentence of this subparagraph shall not
be construed to affect any other right or benefit under this chapter.
(2)(A) A person reemployed under this chapter shall be treated as not having
incurred a break in service with the employer or employers maintaining the plan
by reason of such person's period or periods of service in the uniformed services.
(B) Each period served by a person in the uniformed services shall, upon
reemployment under this chapter, be deemed to constitute service with the
employer or employers maintaining the plan for the purpose of
determining the nonforfeitability of the person's accrued benefits and for
the purpose of determining the accrual of benefits under the plan.
(b)(1) An employer reemploying a person under this chapter shall, with respect to a
period of service described in subsection (a)(2)(B), be liable to an employee pension
benefit plan for funding any obligation of the plan to provide the benefits described in
subsection (a)(2) and shall allocate the amount of any employer contribution for the
person in the same manner and to the same extent the allocation occurs for other
employees during the period of service. For purposes of determining the amount of such
liability and any obligation of the plan, earnings and forfeitures shall not be included. For
purposes of determining the amount of such liability and for purposes of section 515 of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or any similar Federal or State
law governing pension benefits for governmental employees, service in the uniformed
services that is deemed under subsection (a) to be service with the employer shall be
deemed to be service with the employer under the terms of the plan or any applicable
collective bargaining agreement. In the case of a multiemployer plan, as defined in
section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, any liability of
the plan described in this paragraph shall be allocated--
(A) by the plan in such manner as the sponsor maintaining the plan shall
provide; or
(B) if the sponsor does not provide--
(i) to the last employer employing the person before the period
served by the person in the uniformed services, or
(ii) if such last employer is no longer functional, to the plan.
(2) A person reemployed under this chapter shall be entitled to accrued benefits
pursuant to subsection (a) that are contingent on the making of, or derived from,
employee contributions or elective deferrals (as defined in section 402(g)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) only to the extent the person makes payment
to the plan with respect to such contributions or deferrals. No such payment may
exceed the amount the person would have been permitted or required to contribute
had the person remained continuously employed by the employer throughout the
period of service described in subsection (a)(2)(B). Any payment to the plan
described in this paragraph shall be made during the period beginning with the
date of reemployment and whose duration is three times the period of the person's
services in the uniformed services, such payment period not to exceed five years.
(3) For purposes of computing an employer's liability under paragraph (1) or the
employee's contributions under paragraph (2), the employee's compensation
during the period of service described in subsection (a)(2)(B) shall be computed--
(A) at the rate the employee would have received but for the period of
service described in subsection (a)(2)(B), or
(B) in the case that the determination of such rate is not reasonably certain,
on the basis of the employee's average rate of compensation during the 12-
month period immediately preceding such period (or, if shorter, the period
of employment immediately preceding such period).
(c) Any employer who reemploys a person under this chapter and who is an employer
contributing to a multiemployer plan, as defined in section 3(37) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, under which benefits are or may be payable to
such person by reason of the obligations set forth in this chapter, shall, within 30 days
after the date of such reemployment, provide information, in writing, of such
reemployment to the administrator of such plan.
§ 4319. Employment and reemployment rights in foreign
countries.
(a) LIABILITY OF CONTROLLING UNITED STATES EMPLOYER OF FOREIGN
ENTITY- If an employer controls an entity that is incorporated or otherwise organized in
a foreign country, any denial of employment, reemployment, or benefit by such entity
shall be presumed to be by such employer.
(b) INAPPLICABILITY TO FOREIGN EMPLOYER- This subchapter does not apply to
foreign operations of an employer that is a foreign person not controlled by or United
States employer.
(c) DETERMINATION OF CONTROLLING EMPLOYER- For the purpose of this
section, the determination of whether an employer controls an entity shall be based upon
the interrelations of operations, common management, centralized control of labor
relations, and common ownership or financial control of the employer and the entity.
(d) EXEMPTION- Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, an employer,
or an entity controlled by an employer, shall be exempt from compliance with any of
sections 4311 through 4318 of this title with respect to an employee in a workplace in a
foreign country, if compliance with that section would cause such employer, or such
entity controlled by an employer, to violate the law of the foreign country in which the
workplace is located.

SUBCHAPTER III--PROCEDURES FOR ASSISTANCE,
ENFORCEMENT, AND INVESTIGATION
§ 4321. Assistance in obtaining reemployment or other
employment rights or benefits
The Secretary (through the Veterans' Employment and Training Service) shall provide
assistance to any person with respect to the employment and reemployment rights and
benefits to which such person is entitled under this chapter. In providing such assistance,
the Secretary may request the assistance of existing Federal and State agencies engaged
in similar or related activities and utilize the assistance of volunteers.
§ 4322. Enforcement of employment or reemployment rights
(a) A person who claims that--
(1) such person is entitled under this chapter to employment or reemployment
rights or benefits with respect to employment by an employer; and
(2)(A) such employer has failed or refused, or is about to fail or refuse, to comply
with the provisions of this chapter; or
(B) in the case that the employer is a Federal executive agency, such
employer or the Office of Personnel Management has failed or refused, or
is about to fail or refuse, to comply with the provisions of this chapter,
may file a complaint with the Secretary in accordance with subsection (b),
and the Secretary shall investigate such complaint.
(b) Such complaint shall be in writing, be in such form as the Secretary may prescribe,
include the name and address of the employer against whom the complaint is filed, and
contain a summary of the allegations that form the basis for the complaint.
(c) The Secretary shall, upon request, provide technical assistance to a potential claimant
with respect to a complaint under this subsection, and when appropriate, to such
claimant's employer.
(d) The Secretary shall investigate each complaint submitted pursuant to subsection (a). If
the Secretary determines as a result of the investigation that the action alleged in such
complaint occurred, the Secretary shall attempt to resolve the complaint by making
reasonable efforts to ensure that the person or entity named in the complaint complies
with the provisions of this chapter.
(e) If the efforts of the Secretary with respect to any complaint filed under subsection (a)
do not resolve the complaint, the Secretary shall notify the person who submitted the
complaint of--
(1) the results of the Secretary's investigation; and
(2) the complainant's entitlement to proceed under the enforcement of rights
provisions provided under section 4323 (in the case of a person submitting a
complaint against a State or private employer) or section 4324 (in the case of a
person submitting a complaint against a Federal executive agency or the Office of
Personnel Management).
(f) This subchapter does not apply to any action relating to benefits to be provided under
the Thrift Savings Plan under title 5.
§ 4323. Enforcement of rights with respect to a State or private
employer
(a) Action for relief.
(1) A person who receives from the Secretary a notification pursuant to section
4322(e) of this title of an unsuccessful effort to resolve a complaint relating to a
State (as an employer) or a private employer may request that the Secretary refer
the complaint to the Attorney General. If the Attorney General is responsibly
satisfied that the person on whose behalf the complaint is referred is entitled to the
rights or benefits sought, the Attorney General may appear on behalf of, and act
as attorney for, the person on whose behalf the complaint is submitted and
commence an action for relief under this chapter for such person. In the case of
such an action against a State (as an employer), the action shall be brought in the
name of the United States as the plaintiff in the action.
(2) A person may commence an action for relief with respect to a complaint
against a State (as an employer) or a private employer if the person--
(A) has chosen not to apply to the Secretary for assistance under section
4322(a) of this title;
(B) has chosen not to request that the Secretary refer the complaint to the
Attorney General under paragraph (1); or
(C) has been refused representation by the Attorney General with respect
to the complaint under such paragraph .
(b) Jurisdiction
(1) In the case of an action against a State (as an employer) or a private employer
commenced by the United States, the district courts of the United States shall
have jurisdiction over the action.
(2) In the case of action against a State (as an employer) by a person, the action
may be brought in a State court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the
laws of the State.
(3) In the case of an action against a private employer by a person, the district
courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction of the action.
(c) Venue
(1) In the case of an action by the United States against a State (as an employer),
the action may proceed in the United States district court for any district in which
the State exercises any authority or carries out any function.
(2) In the case of an action against a private employer, the action may proceed in
the United States district court for any district in which the private employer of
the person maintains a place of business.
(d) Remedies
(1) In any action under this section, the court may award relief as follows:
(A) The court may require the employer to comply with the provisions of
this chapter.
(B) The court may require the employer to compensate the person for any
loss of wages or benefits suffered by reason of such employer's failure to
comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(C) The court may require the employer to play the person an amount
equal to the amount referred to in subparagraph (B) as liquidated damages,
if the court determines that the employer's failure to comply with the
provisions of this chapter was willful.
(2)(A) Any compensation awarded under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph
(1) shall be in addition to, and shall not diminish, any of the other rights and

benefits provided for under this chapter.
(B) In the case of an action commenced in the name of the United States
for which the relief includes compensation awarded under subparagraph
(B) or (C) of paragraph (1), such compensation shall be held in a special
deposit account and shall be paid, on order of the Attorney General,
directly to the person. If the compensation is not paid to the person
because of inability to do so within a period of 3 years, the compensation
shall be converted into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous
receipts.
(3) A State shall be subject to the same remedies, including prejudgment interest,
as may be imposed upon any private employer under this section.
(e) Equity powers. The court may use it full equity powers, including temporary or
permanent injunctions, temporary restraining orders, and contempt orders, to vindicate
fully the rights of benefits of persons under this chapter.
(f) Standing. An action under this chapter may be initiated only by a person claiming
rights or benefits under this chapter under subsection (a) or by the United States under
subsection (a)(1).
(g) Respondent. In any action under this chapter, only an employer or a potential
employer, as the case may be, shall be a necessary party respondent.
(h) Fees, court costs.
(1) No fees or court costs may be charged or taxed against any person claiming rights
under this chapter.
(2) In any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of this chapter by a person under
subsection (a)(2) who obtained private counsel for such action or proceeding, the court
may award any such person who prevails in such action or proceeding reasonable
attorney fees, expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses.
(i) Inapplicability of State statute of limitations. No State statute of limitations shall apply
to any proceeding under this chapter.
(j) Definition. In this section, the term “private employer” includes a political subdivision
of a State..
§ 4324. Enforcement of rights with respect to Federal executive
agencies
(a)(1) A person who receives from the Secretary a notification pursuant to section
4322(e) may request that the Secretary refer the complaint for litigation before the Merit
Systems Protection Board. The Secretary shall refer the complaint to the Office of
Special Counsel established by section 1211 of title 5.
(2)(A) If the Special Counsel is reasonably satisfied that the person on whose
behalf a complaint is referred under paragraph (1) is entitled to the rights or
benefits sought, the Special Counsel (upon the request of the person submitting
the complaint) may appear on behalf of, and act as attorney for, the person and
initiate an action regarding such complaint before the Merit Systems Protection
Board.
(B) If the Special Counsel declines to initiate an action and represent a
person before the Merit Systems Protection Board under subparagraph
(A), the Special Counsel shall notify such person of that decision.
(b) A person may submit a complaint against a Federal executive agency or the Office of
Personnel Management under this subchapter directly to the Merit Systems Protection
Board if that person--
(1) has chosen not to apply to the Secretary for assistance under section 4322(a);
(2) has received a notification from the Secretary under section 4322(e);
(3) has chosen not to be represented before the Board by the Special Counsel
pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A); or
(4) has received a notification of a decision from the Special Counsel under
subsection (a)(2)(B).
(c)(1) The Merit Systems Protection Board shall adjudicate any complaint brought before
the Board pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A) or (b), without, regard as to whether the
complaint accrued before, on, or after October 13, 1994. A person who seeks a hearing or
adjudication by submitting such a complaint under this paragraph may be represented at
such hearing or adjudication in accordance with the rules of the Board.
(2) If the Board determines that a Federal executive agency or the Office of
Personnel Management has not complied with the provisions of this chapter
relating to the employment or reemployment of a person by the agency, the Board
shall enter an order requiring the agency or Office to comply with such provisions
and to compensate such person for any loss of wages or benefits suffered by such
person by reason of such lack of compliance.
(3) Any compensation received by a person pursuant to an order under paragraph
(2) shall be in addition to any other right or benefit provided for by this chapter
and shall not diminish any such right or benefit.
(4) If the Board determines as a result of a hearing or adjudication conducted
pursuant to a complaint submitted by a person directly to the Board pursuant to
subsection (b) that such person is entitled to an order referred to in paragraph (2),
the Board may, in its discretion, award such person reasonable attorney fees,
expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses.
(d)(1) A person adversely affected or aggrieved by a final order or decision of the Merit
Systems Protection Board under subsection (c) may petition the United States Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit to review the final order or decision. Such petition and
review shall be in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 7703 of title 5.
(2) Such person may be represented in the Federal Circuit proceeding by the
Special Counsel unless the person was not represented by the Special Counsel
before the Merit Systems Protection Board regarding such order or decision.
§ 4325. Enforcement of rights with respect to certain Federal
agencies
(a) This section applies to any person who alleges that--
(1) the reemployment of such person by an agency referred to in subsection (a) of
section 4315 was not in accordance with procedures for the reemployment of such
person under subsection (b) of such section; or
(2) the failure of such agency to reemploy the person under such section was
otherwise wrongful.
(b) Any person referred to in subsection (a) may submit a claim relating to an allegation
referred to in that subsection to the inspector general of the agency which is the subject of
the allegation. The inspector general shall investigate and resolve the allegation pursuant
to procedures prescribed by the head of the agency.
(c) In prescribing procedures for the investigation and resolution of allegations under
subsection (b), the head of an agency shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable,
that the procedures are similar to the procedures for investigating and resolving
complaints utilized by the Secretary under section 4322(d).
(d) This section may not be construed--
(1) as prohibiting an employee of an agency referred to in subsection (a) from
seeking information from the Secretary regarding assistance in seeking
reemployment from the agency under this chapter, or information relating to the
rights and obligations of employees and Federal agencies under this chapter; or
(2) as prohibiting such an agency from voluntarily cooperating with or seeking
assistance in or of clarification from the Secretary or the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management of any matter arising under this chapter.
§ 4326. Conduct of investigation; subpoenas
(a) In carrying out any investigation under this chapter, the Secretary's duly authorized
representatives shall, at all reasonable times, have reasonable access to and the right to
interview persons with information relevant to the investigation and shall have reasonable
access to, for purposes of examination, and the right to copy and receive, any documents
of any person or employer that the Secretary considers relevant to the investigation.
(b) In carrying out any investigation under this chapter, the Secretary may require by
subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documents
relating to any matter under investigation. In case of disobedience of the subpoena or
contumacy and on request of the Secretary, the Attorney General may apply to any
district court of the United States in whose jurisdiction such disobedience or contumacy
occurs for an order enforcing the subpoena.
(c) Upon application, the district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to
issue writs commanding any person or employer to comply with the subpoena of the
Secretary or to comply with any order of the Secretary made pursuant to a lawful
investigation under this chapter and the district courts shall have jurisdiction to punish
failure to obey a subpoena or other lawful order of the Secretary as a contempt of court.
(d) Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to the legislative branch or the judicial branch
of the United States.

SUBCHAPTER IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
§ 4331. Regulations
(a) The Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) may prescribe
regulations implementing the provisions of this chapter with regard to the application of
this chapter to States, local governments, and private employers.
(b)(1) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (in consultation with the
Secretary and the Secretary of Defense) may prescribe regulations implementing the
provisions of this chapter with regard to the application of this chapter to Federal
executive agencies (other than the agencies referred to in paragraph (2)) as employers.
Such regulations shall be consistent with the regulations pertaining to the States as
employers and private employers, except that employees of the Federal Government may
be given greater or additional rights.
(2) The following entities may prescribe regulations to carry out the activities of
such entities under this chapter:
(A) The Merit Systems Protection Board.
(B) The Office of Special Counsel.
(C) The agencies referred to in section 2303(a)(2)(C)(ii) of title 5.
§ 4332. Reports
The Secretary shall, after consultation with the Attorney General and the Special Counsel
referred to in section 4324(a)(1) and no later than February 1, 1996, and annually
thereafter through 2000, transmit to the Congress, a report containing the following
matters for the fiscal year ending before such February 1:
(1) The number of cases reviewed by the Department of Labor under this chapter
during the fiscal year for which the report is made.
(2) The number of cases referred to the Attorney General or the Special Counsel
pursuant to section 4323 or 4324, respectively, during such fiscal year.
(3) The number of complaints filed by the Attorney General pursuant to section
4323 during such fiscal year.
(4) The nature and status of each case reported on pursuant to paragraph (1), (2),
or (3).
(5) An indication of whether there are any apparent patterns of violation of the
provisions of this chapter, together with an explanation thereof.
(6) Recommendations for administrative or legislative action that the Secretary,
the Attorney General, or the Special Counsel considers necessary for the effective
implementation of this chapter, including any action that could be taken to
encourage mediation, before claims are filed under this chapter, between
employers and persons seeking employment or reemployment.
§ 4333. Outreach
The Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take
such actions as such Secretaries determine are appropriate to inform persons entitled to
rights and benefits under this chapter and employers of the rights, benefits, and
obligations of such persons and such employers under this chapter.



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