Statement of US Labor Secretary Thomas Perez on veterans’ employment

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding the release of the 2014 Employment Situation of Veterans report by the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics:
 
"In 2014, the hiring of our nation's heroes rose with an economic tide that consistently strengthened our nation's labor market throughout the year. With more and more of our veterans — some of our bravest, toughest, hardest-working men and women — finding work and adding to the success of American businesses, it contributes to a growing national economy based on shared prosperity. It is the fourth year in a row of steadily declining joblessness for veterans, with today's veterans' employment report for 2014 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing a drop in overall veterans' unemployment to 5.3 percent.

"Veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001, are also making encouraging gains in the job market. From a calamitous post-recession peak of 12 percent in 2011, the unemployment rate for these veterans dropped to 7.2 percent last year. Employers continue to recognize that these veterans are strong, skilled, dedicated workers.

"We should continue to remember that unemployed veterans come from all age groups and eras of military service, and these groups have distinct needs.

Unemployment among women veterans in the Gulf War-era II, for example, was 8.5 percent in 2014, but we must do more to support them by passing family-friendly workplace policies like paid leave.

"Promoting opportunity for veterans is part of nearly everything we do at the Labor Department, from providing priority services for veterans through more than 2,500 American Job Centers across the country to encouraging companies that do business with the federal government to focus on hiring more veterans, protecting disability employment rights and enforcing wage and hour laws. It is an integrated system that has enormous reach into American communities.

Even as we celebrate the good news in this report, we will continue to deploy this system with every ounce of urgency to make sure all veterans have the opportunity to secure a job that helps them support their families."

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

 

Pipe Fittings Manufacturer Fired Disabled Veteran Instead of Providing a Reasonable Accommodation

EZEFLOW USA, a pipe fitting manufacturer located in New Castle, Pa., will pay $65,000 and provide significant equitable relief to resolve a federal disability discrimination lawsuit, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced.

The EEOC charged that Iraq and Afghanistan U.S. Marine Corps veteran Adam Brant, who worked as a maintenance technician, requested six weeks of unpaid medical leave when he experienced seizures caused by service-related disabilities. EZEFLOW USA denied the request because Brant was still a probationary employee. Even though EZEFLOW USA maintains a policy of providing up to 26 weeks of paid leave to non-probationary employees, the company refused to provide Brant with unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation and fired him because of his disability, according to the lawsuit.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA). The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. EZEFLOW USA, Inc., Civil Action No 02:14-cv-527) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, after first attempting to reach a voluntary pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

In addition to the $65,000 in monetary relief to Brant, the 28-month consent decree resolving the lawsuit prohibits EZEFLOW USA from engaging in disability discrimination or retaliation. The company will revise its policies to ensure that probationary employees with disabilities are given unpaid leave when needed as a reasonable accommodation. EZEFLOW USA will also provide training on the ADA, report to the EEOC regarding its compliance with the consent decree and post a notice about the settlement.

"This case is significant because it demonstrates that even probationary employees may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the ADA," said EEOC Philadelphia District Director Spencer H. Lewis, Jr. "An employer must provide a reasonable accommodation unless it can show that doing so would cause a significant difficulty or expense."

Regional Attorney Debra M. Lawrence of the EEOC's Philadelphia District Office added, "We owe all of our veterans our gratitude for their sacrifices, but especially those with service-related disabilities. Mr. Brant honorably served our country as a Marine and only needed a brief period of unpaid leave to treat his disability and remain employed. I am pleased that EZEFLOW USA worked with us to resolve this lawsuit quickly and that the company will also provide affirmative relief to protect all employees from disability discrimination."

The EEOC has issued two revised publications addressing veterans with disabilities and the ADA. The Guide for Employers explains how protections for veterans with service-connected disabilities differ under the ADA and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). It explains how employers can prevent disability-based discrimination and provide reasonable accommodations.

The Guide for Wounded Veterans answers questions that veterans with service-related disabilities may have about the protections available when they seek to return to their former jobs or look for civilian jobs. The publication also explains the kinds of accommodations that may be necessary to help veterans with disabilities obtain and successfully maintain employment.

Source: EEOC

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Veterans Employment Center Web Portal Launched

A Veterans Employment Center web portal that will help simplify job searches for veterans and transitioning military service members was launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on April 23^rd at a Fort Campbell, KY jobs summit.

The Veterans Employment Center, an integrated, online tool connecting veterans, transitioning service members and their spouses with both public and private-sector employers, is the result of an interagency effort to improve, simplify and consolidate the current array of employment resources for veterans. Additionally, this will provide one comprehensive database of resumes for employers who are seeking to leverage the skills and talents of veterans, service members, and their spouses.

"Our service members haven't always had the time or information they needed to prepare their resumes, to plot their career goals, to meet with employers and get the jobs they deserve. And that's simply not acceptable," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "As my husband has said, when you've fought for this country around the world, you shouldn't have to fight for a job when you return home. Starting today, every single service member, every veteran, and every military family will have access to a new online tool that will revolutionize how you find jobs in both the public and private sectors. All you have to do is log on to ebenefits.va.gov."

"Veterans deserve an authoritative source for connecting with employers," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "The online Veterans Employment Center is the single, federal source for veterans looking for new career opportunities, service members transitioning to the civilian workforce, and spouses and beneficiaries looking to connect with job opportunities."

"Our service members transitioning to civilian life, as well as their spouses, deserve the resources they need to be successful," said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. "Through this effort, they are getting that help. Our troops and their spouses are proven leaders, highly-skilled and hard-working. Employers hiring them are getting the best this nation has to offer."

"Improving veterans' employment is an all-hands-on-deck enterprise," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez. "With more than 1 million service members projected to leave the military in the coming years, the Veterans Employment Center, along with the wealth of services the Department of Labor offers through its 2,500 American Job Centers, will connect our veterans and service members with both public and private sector employers eager to hire those with military experience."

"OPM's USAJobs program is excited to be partnering with the VA on making this a robust tool for our nation's veterans and transitioning service members seeking Federal employment," said OPM Director, Katherine Archuleta. "It has been more than four years since President Obama established the Veterans Employment Initiative and, in that time, the Executive Branch of Government hired the highest percentage of military veterans in more than 20 years – of the 195,000 new employees hired in FY 2012, approximately 56,000 were veterans, equaling 28.9 percent of total hires. We can continue to honor and show our appreciation for the dedicated and heroic service of America's veterans by ensuring that they have every opportunity to continue their service to this great nation as Federal civilian employees. The Veterans Employment Center helps us honor these men and women by making employment opportunities available when our servicemen and women lay down their uniforms."

The Veterans Employment Center will provide employers with access to a targeted pool of resumes from veterans and transitioning service members, allowing them to search resumes to identify veterans with skill sets applicable to civilian employment at their organization, and to track progress towards reaching their veteran hiring goals. Resumes are visible to all employers with an active LinkedIn or Google profile. To prevent spam, an applicant's name and email address are redacted and only visible to employers verified by the VA as registered companies with the IRS.

Source:  U.S. Department of Labor

 This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Statement by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on veterans' employment

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding the release of the 2013 Employment Situation of Veterans report by the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics:

"Today's veterans' employment report for 2013 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an encouraging drop in overall veterans' unemployment from 7 percent in 2012 to 6.6 percent. It included a significant reduction in 2013 unemployment for women veterans from 8.3 percent in 2012 to 6.9 percent in 2013 and a decrease from 9.9 percent to 9 percent for all Gulf War-era II veterans.

"Our nation's veterans and their families have made countless sacrifices on behalf of our nation. Who deserves opportunity more than those who have put their lives on the line defending it?

"Veterans have the skills that employers are looking for. They make our nation's workforce more productive, our companies more profitable and our economy more competitive. Smart businesses recruit veterans because it's in their self-interest, because they know it's a sound investment in their bottom line.

"At the Labor Department, we are working hard to help veterans and military service members as they transition to the civilian workforce. We provide priority services for veterans through more than 2,500 American Job Centers across the country. We have also launched an online tool, My Next Move for Veterans, where veterans and transitioning service members can enter their military occupation code and discover civilian occupations for which they are well qualified. We also announced this past summer a new regulation encouraging companies that do business with the federal government to focus on hiring more veterans.

"This report shows that the private and public sectors are making progress on veterans' employment. But much more needs to be done. I urge all employers to renew their commitment to veterans, so that those who served and sacrificed can realize their highest dreams. The best way to honor our veterans is to hire them."

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Construction industry pledges to hire more than 100,000 veterans

In an announcement today at A National Symposium: Veterans' Employment in Construction, hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor and Joining Forces, First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez celebrated a broad coalition of construction employers and associations that have collectively pledged to hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years.

Also at the announcement were representatives of the construction companies making these hiring commitments, veterans who have completed apprenticeships in the construction industry, and other leaders in the field.
In an op-ed running in this morning's Wall Street Journal, the First Lady writes:

"Today, more than 100 American construction companies came together to announce that they plan to hire more than 100,000 veterans within the next five years. They made this commitment not just because it's the patriotic thing to do, and not just because they want to repay our veterans for their service to our country, but because they know that it's the smart thing to do for their business."

"All men and women who have sacrificed for our country in our armed services deserve opportunities for good jobs worthy of their character and their achievements," said Secretary Perez. "The Department of Labor will do whatever it takes to help our veterans translate their skills and leadership into jobs, and I am inspired by the commitment displayed today by the construction industry and all our partners in helping to achieve that mission."

The construction industry is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years — outpacing the steady growth of the economy as a whole and helping to strengthen local communities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation, with job growth of more than 1.5 million jobs between now and 2022 — an annual growth rate of 2.6 percent.

Construction companies large and small — from national firms like Jacobs and Bechtel, to regional firms like Cianbro Construction, to local contractors and subcontractors across America — are stepping up to ensure their industry welcomes home the nation's heroes with good-paying jobs. More than 80 additional companies are committing their existing training and employment programs to fill new construction jobs with veterans.

The construction industry was represented at the announcement by executives of several participating companies, with Larry L. Melton, project executive for Bechtel and Marine Corps veteran delivering remarks. "Veterans are invaluable to the construction industry. Men and women who serve in the military often have the traits that are so critical to our success: agility, discipline, integrity, and the drive to get the job done right," Melton said. "Bechtel is passionate about supporting veterans and we continue to expand our efforts to hire transitioning military members."

Lori Sundberg, senior vice president of human resources at Jacobs also stated: "We are pleased to support programs that provide career opportunities for our military veterans. Many of the skills and abilities gained during military training and service are highly transferable to the skills we require to successfully serve our clients around the world. We are proud of the veterans working at Jacobs and appreciate their military service, their dedication, and the value they add to our company."

Following the announcement, the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service and Employment and Training Administration will host the Symposium's three roundtable discussions, which will include information sessions on the following topics: how to access veterans' employment services, which are available at more than 2,600 American Jobs Centers across the country; details regarding registered apprenticeship programs; and an overview of credentialing and certifications for veterans in interested in careers in the construction industry.

The remarks will be live-streamed for the public at http://www.dol.gov/live/.

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Companies urged to hire military veterans

U.S. Labor Secretary Perez urges companies to hire military veterans during department's annual Salute to Veterans
 
U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today urged employers to recruit and hire transitioning service members and veterans because they possess "essential skills that companies are looking for: leadership, problem-solving and teamwork." Perez made his remarks at the department's annual Salute to Veterans, which was held to honor the sacrifices of our nation's veterans and in observance of Veterans Day. 
 
Perez said the same fortitude and resilience service members and veterans have exhibited in the military can be brought successfully to bear in civilian work; and businesses recruit and hire veterans "because they know it's as sound a business decision as they can make." Veterans receive priority of service — including career counseling and job placement — at nearly 2,600 American Job Centers nationwide. More information on American Job Centers is available at http://jobcenter.usa.gov. To find American Job Center locations, go to http://www.servicelocator.org.
 
Several of the department's efforts to assist service members and veterans transition to civilian careers that Perez discussed include:

• My Next Move for Veterans, an online tool where veterans can enter their military occupation code and discover civilian occupations for which they are well-qualified, at http://www.mynextmove.org/vets/.
• An overhaul of the Transition Assistance Program, which helps exiting service members prepare for civilian life. More information about this program is available at http://www.militaryonesource.mil/transition.
• A collaborative program called the Women Veterans Initiative, which is designed to address the issue of women veterans unemployment.  
  • Examples of the work of this initiative include the Symposium on Women Veterans' Employment: Skills Matter held at the department on Aug. 29, 2013, and the Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness guide.
  • More information on this initiative can be found at http://www.dol.gov/vets/womenveterans/.

Keith Kelly, the assistant secretary of labor who heads the Veterans' Employment and Training Service and a Vietnam War veteran, told the audience: "The federal government has taken great strides to help our veterans as they transition from military service and we at the department are doing our part as a key member of the president's team." Read Kelly's Honoring Veterans through Opportunity blog post.

Following remarks from Perez and Kelly, panelists engaged in a roundtable discussion on the department's educational and training programs available for transitioning service members and the critical role that public-private partnerships play in assisting veterans. Panelist included: Sergeant Dakota Meyer, recipient of the Medal of Honor; Eric Eversole, executive director of Hiring Our Heroes at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Jose Serans, veteran and graduate of the Veterans In Piping apprenticeship, a high-quality skills training program in the pipe trades for service members and veterans run by the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada and Australia; and Terry Gerton, deputy assistant secretary for policy at the Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Women Veterans Employment Listening Session

• Download the flyer (PDF)

Please join the US Department of Labor and community organizations for a facilitated listening session to discuss women veteran employment scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, 2013 1:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. at the U.S. Department of Labor, Conference Room 6 (C5320), 200 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC 20210.

A facilitated listening session to discuss the challenges of women veterans seeking employment. We look forward to hearing your ideas on how to tackle women veteran employment challenges. We hope you will join us!

Areas we may explore to help us better understand the challenges for women veterans while seeking employment and a path to economic security include:

• Challenges women veterans face while seeking employment
• Impact on women veterans by self-identifying as "veterans"
• Communication methods the women veterans’ community may respond to best to ensure access to resources

Registration is free. Please register by June 12, 2013. Any questions can be addressed to Tonya Thompson at thompson.tonya@dol.gov.

Please register at: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1264269/Women-Veterans-Employment-Listening-Session-Registration

Feel free to share this invitation with others who have ideas about how we can help our nation’s women veterans find good jobs.

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.