What GAO Found The Department of Labor's (DOL) Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) closed 5,433 Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) complaints from fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025, according to GAO’s analysis of USERRA complaint data. The number of complaints increased each year, reaching its highest level in fiscal year 2025 (1,380 complaints), the same year VETS experienced a 23 percent reduction in its complaint investigation staffing levels. During this period, VETS closed USERRA complaints within 90 days on average, the general time frame specified in statute. Most complaints were closed for administrative reasons, including a service member choosing not to pursue the complaint, or were not substantiated by the evidence. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Complaints by Closure Types, Fiscal Years 2021–2025 VETS investigations staff expressed concern about the amount of time spent on complaints ineligible for USERRA coverage. VETS investigations staff also spent time on complaints that were not substantiated, which includes cases where an investigator determined an employer would have taken the same action (e.g., denied a promotion) against a service member regardless of uniformed service or protected activity. From fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025, “not eligible”…
Professional
Service Member Reemployment Rights: Enhanced Education and Additional Training Could Improve Investigations
Source: US GAO Reports — US Government, Public Domain