Reservists' Rocky Return To Job Market

60 Minutes Report Also Examines Costs Borne By Employers Of Deployed Citizen Soldiers

(CBS)  With the Pentagon relying so heavily on the National Guard and Reserve to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan - 650,000 have been called for active duty since 9/11 - the least you'd expect is that after they serve, they get their old civilian jobs back.

There's a law, called USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act), that says their employers have to take them back at the same pay.

But what 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl found is that despite the law, thousands of guards and reservists come home to find themselves demoted or penalized, or out of a job completely.

---

Army Reservist Joanne Merritt is a nurse who works with wounded soldiers. When she got back to her regular job in 2006 after a two-year deployment, she was told her job was gone since she had been away too long.

"We had to give that to somebody else. So, your job is no more," she remembers.

Despite the law, she couldn't have her job back. "Yes. It really hurt. It hurt because I just wasn't expectin' this."

Considering who her employer is, why would she expect it: Merritt works at, of all places, the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Ga.

Asked if the Veterans Administration did not understand this law, Merritt says, "Yes. And I said, 'You know what? I am not going to accept this.'"

Merritt filed a complaint against the VA, and within a couple of weeks got her old job back, plus the back pay and leave that she was entitled to, which the VA had also denied her.

Asked if she has any sympathy for the VA though, considering she was gone two years, Merritt tells Stahl, "I've been in the military for 25 years now. At that point, it was 23. The president writes an order, gives an order, I follow it. What excludes the VA? No, ma'am, I do not have any sympathy. I feel that the laws are there for reasons."

According to the Pentagon, over 10 percent of guardsmen and reservists report having problems when they return to work; tens of thousands have filed complaints or lawsuits against their employers.

Assistant Secretary of Defense Thomas Hall is the top man at the Pentagon overseeing the Reserves and National Guard. He says he is aware that there are reservists and guardsmen working for the Department of Defense and in the Pentagon who have come home and also encountered problems.

How does he explain that?

"Well, we want the government to be the model employer…," he says. "What I’m saying is that the federal government's entire leadership has committed that they will be. Do we need to do better? Yes."

The federal government is one of the largest employers of guardsmen and reservists, but they also work at over 100,000 private companies. Lawsuits under USERRA have been filed against some of the largest companies, like Wal-Mart, American Airlines, and UPS.

It's in that private sector where 60 Minutes discovered that a rebellion is brewing.

"The private employers cannot supplement, cannot support the full cost of defending this nation on our balance books," says Dave Miller, vice president of Con-way freight, a national trucking firm.

After 9/11, he saw it as a patriotic duty to back his guard and reserve employees 1,000 percent.

But now his patience is wearing thin. Not only are the deployments long, his drivers, mechanics and others are being called up for a second and third tour of duty, often on such short notice it's hard to find a replacement.

He says they typically get about three weeks' notice - not a lot of time to run an ad, and bring people in for an interview. And he says they never know how long the deployment is going to be.

With over 50 of his workers deployed right now, Miller says the company is spending about $4,000 apiece to train their replacements, and as much as $100,000 if a worker has to be relocated from another state.

Take the case of one of his drivers, Jeff Vineyard. In 2005, Vineyard was sent to Iraq for a year as a member of the Indiana National Guard, where he says he was driving jet fuel.

[connapa]

When a reservist is activated and an active member of the military, his or her dependents have access to free medical care courtesy of Uncle Sam. During that time, how is the employer spending any extra money for insurance? The money that pays for the active reservists insurance will pay for the temp worker''s insurance.

[gop_will_win]

Well liberals shouldnt care about this, they dont work anyways.

[luigigg]

Many say they support this war, but no one wants to sacrifice, except our heroic service members and their families who are bearing this burden. Whiners like Mr. Miller are just looking for government welfare. If none of us want to bear any of the cost and sacrifice, maybe we should just surrender now.

[blindersoff]

I think veterans should be treated better by both parties. I also see some on this site make comments to get a rise out of people. The "liberal" states, (NY, CA) send more in taxes to D.C. to support the rest of you mouthbreathers (gop_will_win) in Palin''s "pro America" parts of the country. I actually am at work on my first job reading this during lunch. The troops hopefully will realize who really supports them. I work with a guy who was in the national guard and voted for Bush twice. He is given such a hard time by our conservative company when he has to go away weekends for training even though I thought this was against the law. Yet he''s still a staunch Republican, so go figure.

[antoniof123]

If none of us want to bear any of the cost and sacrifice, maybe we should just surrender now.
Posted by LuigiGG at 01:48 PM : Oct 30, 2008

First of all it is not surrender if you should not be there. This is the point that some of you miss Iraq was never a threat to America, they did not have any WMD''s that was made up by those who wanted to go to war.

So surrender is not a proper term it is leave because you have made a mistake. Then never let a neo con ever get power again in your life time. Oh wait that is what is going to happen in congress after this election.

[chadb19]

AS A FORMER ACTIVATED RESERVIST I CAN TELL YOU THAT NOBODY GIVES A RATS ***. MILITARY PEOPLE ARE TOOLS OF BUSH AND CHENY''S WAR AND THEY CAN CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS. I KNOW...I EXPERIENCED EXACLY WHAT THIS ARTICLE NOTES. I WILL NEVER SERVER ANOTHER DAY FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION!!! GO OBAMA!!

[louiville2]

S A FORMER ACTIVATED RESERVIST I CAN TELL YOU THAT NOBODY GIVES A RATS ***.

Posted by chadb19

Hmmmm it''s the Democrats who over the last two years have voted down help for Vets. BTW VFW''s for Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, and Clinton ALL felt the same. So cowboy-up cupcake. FYI I''m A Vietnam Vet (Seabees).

[three-o-six]

We had an employee reservist report for active duty. All of us took up his slack while he was deployed and we held his position open for him when he returned. Yes it took a little extra effort -- but well worth it. When you think about what we sacrificed to have him gone compared to what he was putting on the line, it was very little.

We fellow employees owe these guys, and if we can take up the slack for them while they''re puting their life on the line for our security, it is a small thing we do. (But some times those small things count)

[inventagod2]

Perhaps they should contact Blackwater?

[louiville2]

"I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn''t always my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven''t withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up.

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves."

maybe other Big Box stores will follow.

[docpeter1953]

We fellow employees owe these guys, and if we can take up the slack for them while they''''re puting their life on the line for our security, it is a small thing we do. (But some times those small things count)

Posted by three-o-six at 02:36 PM : Oct 30, 2008
_____________________

I agree with your sentiment. The reservists jobs should have been saved and held for them.

The problem here is when the reservist returns, with the downturn in the economy, increasing layoffs, a really pi55 poor outlook in the job market, and likely even more employee layoffs coming (Bell Helicopter just lost a govt. contract and 500 more terminated yesterday in the DFW area), and no job that is secure; Are you now willing to let the reservist have your job since one of you has to be fired, or do you keep your job and tell the reservist sorry, but thank you anyway?

[three-o-six]

docpeter1953

Actually I think that if it came to him or me. I''d say give the job to the reservist - he put his life on the line - I''ll just have to scrap and see what I can do - that is wat seem fair to me -- even if I am on the losing end.

[gem66-2009]

If it weren''t for out Reservists, they might have requested the draft to be enforced. I support our reservists because I am married to one. My husband was deployed last year to Iraq and was awarded metals for a job well done. When he came home, his employer did everything they could to not hire him back. My husband filed a claim with USERRA and his employer told USERRA what they wanted to hear. He did not get his job back and has been looking for over a year now with no success. It is ashame that employers overlook qualified veterans who have put their life on the line to keep the rest of us safe. I agree that employers do not want to hire Reservists because they are afraid they will be called to active duty. I would just like to conclude and say "Thank You" to all of our Reservists who have served in keeping me and my family safe, and that includes my husband (Go Seabees-Can Do).

[renonv5]

Let''s send these reservists directly down to Wall Street to replace all those incompetent boobs who ran this country into the ground all for the sake of the almighty dollar. That is where we need good people.

[lvprovoltman]

It is a great disregard for these men and women who volunteer for the Armed Forces. After all they are there to protect what all service members have fought for since the beginning of what this country stands for. (Freedom and the American Dream.)You can bet that it is the Fortune 500 Company out there that holds little to no respect but if they were to sit down and think it over they are the ones that owe the most. Where would they be, where would we all be if not for the men and women who fight to keep America Free? Ponder that a while........

[elpaulito]

If it weren''''t for out Reservists, they might have requested the draft to be enforced. I support our reservists because I am married to one. My husband was deployed last year to Iraq and was awarded metals for a job well done. When he came home, his employer did everything they could to not hire him back. My husband filed a claim with USERRA and his employer told USERRA what they wanted to hear. He did not get his job back and has been looking for over a year now with no success. It is ashame that employers overlook qualified veterans who have put their life on the line to keep the rest of us safe. I agree that employers do not want to hire Reservists because they are afraid they will be called to active duty. I would just like to conclude and say "Thank You" to all of our Reservists who have served in keeping me and my family safe, and that includes my husband (Go Seabees-Can Do).

-gem66

____________________________

This has got to be one of the most disgusting stories I have ever heard. These corporate pigs where your husband worked are about as patriotic as Osama b Laden. All they care about is their bottom line. That is EXACTLY what is wrong with the current administration, corporate america, and a good portion of main st.

Keep the faith gem.

[elpaulito]

bob5ford,

You gotta be kidding me. What, are they going to sail over here in their mighty navy ships and attack US Soil via landing craft? Come on. What are we as americans supposed to do? Give up all of our civil liberties? Turn the country into East Germany....neighbor spying on neighbor etc... You and your ilk are so out of touch with reality, it scares the hell out of me. Its like you think you are in some low budget nik cage action flik. Get a grip.

[timetrips1]

louiville2: I''ve heard this before about Sears (that they pay the salary difference for reservists). I agree that is an exemplary policy and Sears should be commended. I don''t routinely shop at Sears, favoring Wal-Mart simply because I can get everything fairly cheap and in one spot (saves multiple trips). Though I always buy appliances from Sears (and in the last two years they have gotten an unusual amount of my business because I''ve gone through three homes with job changes). I also get the extended warranties on anything over $200. Now I have another reason to shop at Sears. Thanks for the info/reminder and I''ll try to remember to tell a Sears Manager that fact.

[vietvet06]

There was no viable plan going into Iraq, no plan for winning, no contingency for losing, none for achieving true stability, no one considered the nine years Russia spent in Afghanistan, we don''t have and exit plan, our economy in in the toilette, and worse yet, our warriors are being strewn around like spent cartridge cases...just no plan at all. But, mission accomplished.

[louiville2]

Hey! We said it in 1968, "War is not good for living things".

It also sucks for the economy. Do they HONESTLY believe that an employer will "hold" that job for them? Do they?

Good point! They are dumb enough to go to a war voluntarily.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive

Hey I think I just scraped you off my shoe you piece of worthless ***, It''s the law! I have seen your garbage centrist posts for months, but this is below low.

You know where the door is now get lost, go find that Shangri La you bubble heads think exists. If it wasn''t for them you would be somebodies *** by now. If you need help finding the door just let us know we would be glad to help.

[slim1h2o]

Feeling holier than thou again today? Nancy?

[slim1h2o]

I trust no one, ...no further than I can throw them...

[n8yvn29]

Reservists are treated like second-class citizens by Bush (and McCain, who has supported Bush 95% of the time) because for them they are simply cannon fodder, no more, no less. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he (and McCain, who does not know how many houses he owns) are so out of touch with everyday Americans and what they are going through with the Bush administration-caused collapse of our economy. May they rot in hell for what they have done to America.

[vet_sk]

I am in that same predicament for the 2nd time. They give you your "same" job back but under a different directorate and different supervisors. It is like starting over...and no one cares. There was only one candidate who did not support this war from the beginning.

[louiville2]

Bring it Bubba, but you had better not show up alone. Also, before coming earn a GED and learn to write.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive

BWAHAHAHAHAH what are you going to do silly, try to talk me to death with your "We said it in 1968, "War is not good for living things"" cr-ap. You don''t even know the law bumpkin. Spent to many days with your face in a bong mooching of those who can build a country? We like that spread the wealth thing don''t we?

Your tripe only exists in fiction.

[vietvet06]

Nancy_Naive....

I am an old man, wounded many times, I like your spirit, meaningless here, but, I''d stand with my back to yours anytime...

Scabbard

[louiville2]

Bring it Bubba, but you had better not show up alone. Also, before coming earn a GED and learn to write.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive

Ohh and I almost forgot I ''m guessing the extra help needed has to do with all that spread the wealth you have gobbled down and have fallen and can''t, get up. In other words I have a vision of a bloated, still with a ponytail, gray haired dippie hippie, wearing homemade tie dyed shirt with smelly sandals. Someone who thinks the grateful dead music rocks. How close mooch?

[louiville2]

Posted by vietvet06

Ummmm knock yourself out but He (Nancy Naive) not a she thinks your an idiot and certainly will not stand with you when the going get''s tough. see below.

Hey! We said it in 1968, "War is not good for living things".

It also sucks for the economy. Do they HONESTLY believe that an employer will "hold" that job for them? Do they?

Good point! They are dumb enough to go to a war voluntarily.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive

[vietvet06]

Yea, funny ain''t it...

[middleman8]

These weekend warriors signed up to get a free ride, instead they got Iraq.
They are not and never have defended the U S in Iraq.
Iraq was a made up lie, so the government knew if they started the draft the people would refuse to go and possible up-rise.

[tincup356]

All these blogs about who did what and who is better than who....lets look at what either party has done that was good for the people or the country.....Not much to see in that view.But you mindless party line voters will go to the polls and still vote straight party line...ABSURD.Congress has done nothing for the people of this country, only lie to us to get elected then their allegiance goes straight to the lobby dollar.haven''t you people figured this out yet ?These same people created the situation we are in now and people still think that we can trust ANY of them....NOT. A straight party line vote is a vote to destroy America, so where do you really stand?

[tangouniforn]

My hat is off to those who volunteer to serve their country. They should be able to have a job similar to that which they had before being deployed. But that is not always possible. Especially in this economy. I have a problem in saying that they deserve it because they are fighting for our freedom and safety. While that was true in WWII, it is not true in Iraq. They deserve it because it was promised to them and someday it could well be that they are indeed fighting to keep us safe.

[tincup356]

its time to come home from the LIE war its costing billion of our dollars to go to making profit in the pocket of G.W.Bush through the Carlyle group, He should be charged with war crimes for what he has done, If Obama wins, he better start warming up the courtroom or else he is just as bad as Bush.Better still, they could use Gitmo to do it LOL.

[tangouniforn]

What is this about "spreading the wealth"? It sounds like a good idea to me. If jobs are created that enable people to earn more money than they were receiving before, why is that such a bad thing?

[tincup356]

who said Bush didn''t know how to make a fortune off America, He starts a war, gets congress to approve making it privatized , controls everything about the war, then makes a tidy 6 billion dollar profit off of it, and doesn''t give a hoot about all the young American soldiers that have died because of it, And congress gave him their blessing ....SHAME ON ALL OF YOU.

[tincup356]

I wonder where the troops will position themselves when we are put under martial law from massive protests to the chaos that will envelop the United States when the people realize that 700 billion was not enough, congress will want more after the election when we cant do anything about it,its about time to say revolution when they do. How many soldiers will shoot their own family''s to defend the lies of government?

[louiville2]

I would just like to conclude and say "Thank You" to all of our Reservists who have served in keeping me and my family safe, and that includes my husband (Go Seabees-Can Do).

Posted by gem66

What does your husband do? What part of the country do you live in.

[louiville2]

Oh and gem66 just ignore these dweebs who are paid tolls for Obama. When the wolf is at their throats they will be begging for the sheep dog (soldier) to save them.

[bm6005]

Hmmmm it''''s the Democrats who over the last two years have voted down help for Vets......
Posted by louiville2

B.S. The most no votes for vet issues have come from repubs. Also, take a look at who served and the overwhelming service was provide by the dems. You frickin'' republican candy ***** like war as long as someone else goes!!

[bm6005]

Keep that in mind Tuesday.

Posted by bob5ford

I''ve got my guns, don''t need any voodoo religion and I''m a liberal who would shoot your azz off given the opportunity. You CONservative yahoos are only fooling yourself when you think all liberals are pacifists!! You may be real surprised someday. You IDIOTS are the only attackers I''m worried about. Ragheads are going to attack us how? Oh yeah the Iranian Navy will bring them here en masse.

[bm6005]

Let''''s send these reservists directly down to Wall Street to replace all those incompetent boobs who ran this country into the ground all for the sake of the almighty dollar. That is where we need good people.

Posted by renonv5

H.ell no! We would be better off for the reservists to replace the crooks in DC and I mean all of the crooks, regardless of party. This is illegal (refusing the vets there jobs) and should be handled as such!

[hennighg]

Listen to all the conservatives whine about the Democrats now. Bushy sent those kids off to war thinking they''d be home to stay in 3 months. It didn''t go that way, so they can rot in VA hospitals for all he cares. He certainly didn''t (and hasn''t) prepare for them. Student loans are harder to get now for the ones who need a bit more than the GI bill, which isn''t exactly forthcoming, either. Now they come home to neo-con prosperity -- they have to work to get the rich comfortable again -- and it isn''t a single Democrat''s doing. Bushy, yer dune a heck of a job, and your roboton nander. . .neo-con are going right down the toilet with you. Good bye and good riddance.

Before one of you Lush Rambeau butt kissers go on to explain how it really is: I am a Vet with a disability. Those kids are getting SCREWED. One of you Bush apologists ought to actually serve a week or two. You don''t have a notion of what you say.

[mick7744]

When Obama is president and we get attacked on US soil, be it Alaska, Florida, Texas or wherever, those of us that clung to our religion and guns will be there to defend ourselves. That''''''''s about the time liberal and cannon fodder become synonymous. Keep that in mind Tuesday.===
Posted by bob5ford

Not only felonously stupid, but bob5ford seems to have confused his firearms with his balls. He sounds like a real REM to me.

(No...it doesn''t stand for Rapid Eye Movement)

As for his clung-to religion, I wasn''t aware that orthodox inbred imbiciles had a formal, established church.

When those nasty terrorists hit the beach, bob5ford, I suggest you wear brown trousers. The smell will still give you away to anyone close, but at least your more distant stalwart, sub-mental, NeoCon mates won''t realize that you crapped your pants when the first round was fired (if not before)

You guys always talk the talk, but...

[louiville2]

When those nasty terrorists hit the beach, bob5ford, I suggest you wear brown trousers. The smell will still give you away to anyone close, but at least your more distant stalwart, sub-mental, NeoCon mates won''''t realize that you crapped your pants when the first round was fired (if not before)

You guys always talk the talk, but...




Posted by mick7744

AHAHAHAHA yeah I saw all those brave democrats Invading Canada with that new yellow stripe up their backs.

McCain clearly holds an advantage over Obama among veterans, but that is probably due more to the fact that veterans tend to be Republicans.

Let me repeat
ROFLMAO

AHAHAHAHA yeah I saw all those brave democrats Invading Canada with that new yellow stripe up their backs.

McCain clearly holds an advantage over Obama among veterans, but that is probably due more to the fact that veterans tend to be Republicans. source Gallop Poll

[louiville2]

I''''ve got my guns, don''''t need any voodoo religion and I''''m a liberal who would shoot your azz off given the opportunity. You CONservative yahoos are only fooling yourself when you think all liberals are pacifists!! You may be real surprised someday. You IDIOTS are the only attackers I''''m worried about. Ragheads are going to attack us how? Oh yeah the Iranian Navy will bring them here en masse.

Posted by bm6005

ROFLMAO Ummmmmm This is your rifle this is your gun..... Je-rk o-ff

[kansas1946]

Just the Bush adminstration "supporting the troops" in there usual way. NOT.

[kansas1946]

Hmmmm it''''s the Democrats who over the last two years have voted down help for Vets. BTW VFW''''s for Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, and Clinton ALL felt the same. So cowboy-up cupcake. FYI I''''m A Vietnam Vet (Seabees).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by louiville2 at 02:32 PM : Oct 30, 2008
+ report abuse
**************************

Very interesting albeit not true. I think you need to check on the voting records of McCain vs. Obama listed by veterans organizations tracking polls. John McCain gets a D and Obama gets a B.

[mick7744]

AHAHAHAHA yeah I saw all those brave democrats Invading Canada with that new yellow stripe up their backs.

McCain clearly holds an advantage over Obama among veterans, but that is probably due more to the fact that veterans tend to be Republicans. source Gallop Poll

Posted by louiville2
***********************

Was that some kind of joke where you just screwed up the punch line?

No...I didn''t witness any Democrats with yellow streaks invading Canada. I served in the USMC from `61 through `70...In Country off and on between `63 and `69...and I don''t know anyone who served there when that traitorous SOB Nixon was in office who would call himself a Republican today. (Although the ineffectual democrats are no prize either)

Someone said recently that the difference between McCain and Bush is that Bush was a much better pilot. What does that say about McCain? Imagine being beaten at anything by a chronic failing moron neer-do-well like George W. Bush.

Oh%u2026the horror%u2026.

[cariboubarbi]

Rockey return for the troops?

No problem.

McCain''s going to send them all a shiny new "support the troops" bumper sticker.

Thanks for voting Republican.

[outwest6]

If the rest of this is story is as phoney as Bill Middleton from Sherwood Oregon then it is all a bunch of baloney! This highly paid police official lost absolutely nothing when he came back except he found the structure above his position reorganised. In the real world folks work all of the time for organizations that change the reporting structure. We also often don''t get the same generous pay and benefits he has. Get over it and get back to work or move on, quit trying to carry off more taxpayer dollars because your ego is hurt!