SHRM Texas State Council
Veteran Employment
Initiative Toolkit
2011
Veteran Employment Initiative
Toolkit Content Areas
1. Veteran Employment Overview
2. Aligning Veteran Employment with Your
Organization’s HR Strategy
3. Aligning Veteran Employment with Your SHRM
Chapter’s Strategy
4. Texas State Council’s Hire Texas Vets Initiative –
“The Patriotic Promise”
5. Veteran Employment Support Services Links and
Contacts
2011 Texas State Council
Workforce Readiness
Director
Dr. Barbara Lyon, SPHR
Texas A&M University—Central Texas
2010-2011 Texas State Council
Workforce Readiness Initiative
Dr. Barbara Lyon, SPHR
Bob Cartwright, SPHR
Workforce Readiness Director
Collaborative Industry Alliances
(CIA) Director
SHRM Core Leadership Areas &
Veteran Employment Initiatives
• Workforce Readiness
• Diversity
• College Relations
Workforce Readiness
Working Definition (SHRM, 2008)
1. Insure that our workforce has the skills, competencies and
behaviors necessary to succeed in today’s and tomorrow’s
workplace.
2. Insure that today’s and tomorrow’s workplace maximizes
the potential of our workforce.
Workforce Readiness
Target Groups
• Workforce entrants
• Incumbent workers
• Transitioning
workers
• Mature workers
TSC Target Group 2010-2011
• Workforce entrants > veterans
• Incumbent workers
• Transitioning workers >
veterans
• Mature workers
Veteran Employment
Initiatives
Recent Events
OIF
•
•
•
•
Veteran Services
Legislation
Research
Other
OEF
Veteran Employment
Legislation
 Uniform Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
 American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (AARA)
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
•
The Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment
and Training Service (VETS), enforces USERRA.
•
USERRA clarifies and strengthens the Veterans'
Reemployment Rights (VRR) Statute
•
USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for
veterans and members of Reserve components.
•
USERRA improves enforcement mechanisms
USERRA
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
 USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an
individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain
reemployment rights to five years
 The previous law provided four years of active duty, plus an additional year
if it was for the convenience of the Government.
 Exceptions to the five-year limit
 Initial enlistments lasting more than five years
 Periodic National Guard and Reserve training duty
 Involuntary active duty extensions and recalls, especially during a time of
national emergency.
 Reemployment protection does not depend on the timing,
frequency, duration, or nature of an individual's service as long
as the basic eligibility criteria are met.
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
 USERRA requires that service members provide advance
written or oral notice to their employers for all military duty
unless giving notice is impossible, unreasonable, or precluded
by military necessity.
 The employee should provide notice as far in advance as is
reasonable under the circumstances.
 Service members are permitted by law, but are not required, to
use accrued vacation or annual leave while performing military
duty.
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
 For military service of less than 31 days, health care coverage is
provided as if the service member had remained employed.
 Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may
elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24
months (COBRA)
 They may be required to pay up to 102 percent of the full premium.
 USERRA clarifies pension plan coverage by making explicit that
all pension plans are protected.
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
 USERRA provides that while an employee is performing military
service, he or she is deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence.
 Military members are entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded other
individuals on non-military leaves of absence.
 USERRA provides that returning service-members are reemployed in
the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for
military service (the "escalator" principle).
 Same seniority, status and pay, an other rights and benefits determined by
seniority.
 The law clearly provides for alternative reemployment positions if the service
member cannot qualify for the "escalator" position.
 USERRA requires that reasonable efforts be made to enable
returning service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help
them qualify for reemployment (e.g., training or retraining) .
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
 The period an individual has to make application for
reemployment or report back to work after military
service is based on time spent on military duty.
 Less than 31 days -- The service member must return to work at the
beginning of the next regularly scheduled work period on the first full
day after release from service, including safe travel home and eight-hour
rest period.
 Over 30 days, but less than 181 days -- The service member must submit
an application for reemployment within 14 days of release from service.
 Over 180 days – The service member must submit an application for
reemployment within 90 days of release from service.
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
 USERRA provides protection for disabled veterans, requiring that
employers give reasonable accommodation for the disability.
 Service members convalescing from injuries received during service
or training may have up to two years from the date of completion of
service to return to their jobs or apply for reemployment.
USERRA
Uniform Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act
 The Department of Labor, through the Veterans' Employment
and Training Service (VETS) provides assistance to all
individuals having claims under USERRA
 If resolution is unsuccessful following an investigation, the service member may have
his or her claim referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of
representation in the appropriate District Court, at no cost to the claimant.
 Federal and Postal Service employees may have their claims referred to the Office of
Special Counsel for consideration of representation before the Merit Systems
Protection Board (MSPB).
 If violations under USERRA are shown to be willful, the court
may award liquidated damages.
 Individuals who pursue their own claims in court or before the MSPB may
be awarded reasonable attorney and expert witness fees if they prevail.
American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (AARA), 2009

Economic Recovery Payment to Recipients of Social Security, SSI,
Railroad Retirement and Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits.

Incentives to Hire Unemployed Veterans and Disconnected Youth.

Under current law, businesses are allowed to claim a work opportunity
tax credit equal to 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages paid to
employees of one of nine targeted groups.

The bill would create two new targeted groups of prospective employees:
(1) unemployed veterans; and (2) disconnected youth.

An individual would qualify as an unemployed veteran if they were
discharged or released from active duty from the Armed Forces during
the five-year period prior to hiring and received unemployment
compensation for more than four weeks during the year before being
hired.
AARA
Veteran employment knowledge
fits easily into your professional
development plan (and HRCI
recertification process, as well)!
Align with Employer’s
HR Strategy
 Develop Strategy
 Align with HR strategy.
 Communicate Commitment
 Provide coherent programs.
 Mentor Veteran Employees
 Develop managers and veteran employees.
 Improve Continuously
 Provide continuous improvement of programs.
Recommended
Employer Activities
•
•
•
•
•
ESGR Certificates
Web and Social Networking
Career Workshops
Hire Our Vets Job Fairs
Strategic Initiatives
• ESGR Certificates
Statement of Support
 Network with ESGR
 Organize Signing or Signing Event
 Conduct Signing
 Market Signing Event (optional)
ESGR
Certificate
Be sure to complete the
addressed card, detach
the card from the
bottom of the page, and
mail it back to ESGR.
They will include your
organization’s name on
the ESGR’s Web list of
supporters.
• Web and Social Networking




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
Enthusiastic Welcome
Respectful Support
Job Opportunities
Workplace Skills
Assessment Tools
Education Opportunities
• Career Workshops

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Language Translation
Resume Development
Interview Skills
Workplace Skills
Assessment Tools
Education Opportunities
• Hire a Vet Job Fairs
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
Plan & Network
Organize
Conduct
Assess
• Strategic Initiatives

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
Develop strategy
Communicate commitment
Mentor veteran employees
Continuously improve
Academic Strategic Planning Process
Mission, Vision,
Values
External Scan
Evaluation
Objectives
Internal Scan
Goals
SWOT / TOWS
• Strategic Business Management
 Interpret information from external sources
 Participate in organization’s strategic planning process
 Demonstrate knowledge of management functions
(plan, organize, lead/direct, control)
 Demonstrate organizational knowledge
 Demonstrate legislative and regulatory knowledge
 Promote creativity and innovation
 Demonstrate knowledge of transition techniques for
program sustainability
Develop Strategy
Communicate Commitment
(Align with HR strategy)




(Provide coherent programs)
Veteran Employment
Taskforce
Veteran Cultural Awareness
Demographics Assessment




Networking (Veteran Services, SHRM, Social Tech.)
Respectful, Welcoming Environment
Recruiting Initiatives
Success Communication
Goals/Benchmark
Development
Align initiative with organization
mission, vision, values
Mentor Veteran Employees
Improve Continuously
(Develop managers and veteran employees)
(Provide for continuous improvement in programs and
services to support mission accomplishment)




 On-going, integrated, organization-wide
Management Support
Veteran Transition Assistance
Warrior Employee Advancement
review /feedback process
 Quality enhancement
Materials Development
Veteran Employment Initiative Model
Develop Strategy
(Align with HR strategy.)




Veteran Employment Taskforce
Veteran Cultural Awareness
Demographics Assessment
Goals/Benchmark Development
Communicate Commitment
(Provide coherent programs)

Networking (Veteran Services, SHRM,
Social Tech.)
 Respectful, Welcoming Environment
 Recruiting Initiatives
 Success Communication
Mentor Veteran Employees
(Develop managers and veteran employees)




Management Support
Veteran Transition Assistance
Warrior Employee Advancement
Materials Development
Improve Continuously
(Provide for continuous improvement in programs and services
to support mission accomplishment)
 On-going, integrated,
organization-wide review
/feedback process
 Quality enhancement
Veteran employment initiatives
can easily align with your
organization’s HR strategy!
Align with SHRM
Chapter Activities
• ESGR Certificates
(Statement of Support)
• Chapter Meeting Topic
• Career Workshops
• Hire a Vet Job Fairs
ESGR
Certificate
Be sure to ask
organizations to complete
the addressed card, detach
the card from the bottom of
the page, and mail it back
to ESGR. They will include
the organizations’ names
on the ESGR Web list of
supporters.
• ESGR Certificates – Network
 Chamber of Commerce
 Rotary
 Universities through sponsored
SHRM student chapters
 Others
• Chapter Meeting Topic
 Veteran Employment Speaker
 Veteran Employment Panel
• Career Workshops





Resume Development
Interview Skills
Workplace Skills
Assessment Tools
Education Opportunities
• Hire Our Vet Job Fairs




Planning
Organizing
Conducting
Assessing
Veteran employment initiatives
can easily align with your
SHRM chapter strategy!
Texas State Council Initiatives
Summit & Symposium Series
The Patriotic Promise
Summit on Texas Veteran
Employment Issues
The
Patriotic
Promise
Round Rock, TX - September 10, 2010
Symposium on
Texas Veteran Employment Issues
The
Patriotic
Promise
Grapevine, TX - January 21, 2011
San Marcos, TX - May 20, 2011
Houston, TX - September 28, 2011
El Paso, TX – November 10, 2011
Partnerships and Sponsors
2010-2011
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Employers Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR)
National Guard Bureau
Texas ESGR
Texas Workforce Commission
Texas Veterans Commission
Tex Vet Initiative
U.S. Veteran Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Department of Labor
Partnerships and Sponsors
(con’t)
•
•
•
•
•
Texas A&M University—Central Texas
Jobing.com
Bring Everyone in the Zone
Austin Human Resource Management Association
St. Edward’s University
The Patriotic Promise
Program Committee
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SHRM Texas State Council Workforce Development
SHRM Texas State Council “CIA”
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR)
Tex Vet Initiative, Texas A&M Health Science Center
SHRM Texas State Council Director
SHRM Texas State Council Marketing Committee
SHRM Texas local chapter leaders (symposium cities)
The Patriotic Promise
Summit Program
• U.S. Employers Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR)
• U.S. National Guard Bureau, Manpower and Personnel (J1)
• U.S. House of Representatives, 31st Congressional District
• Texas A&M University System, Chancellor
• Texas Office of the Governor (video)
• Texas Workforce Commission, Veteran Leadership Program
Texas Workforce Commission, Labor Markets & Career Info.
• Texas Veterans Commission, Veteran Employment Services
• Tex Vet Initiative, Texas A&M Health Science Center
The Patriotic Promise
Summit Panel
•Texas Military Forces, The Adjutant General of Texas
• BNSF Railways
• Center Point Energy
• City of Austin
• Fort Hood, Soldier Transition Center
The Patriotic Promise
Summit Sponsors and Supporting Organizations
• SHRM Texas State Council
• Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR)
• TexVet Initiative, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center
• Office of the Governor, State of Texas
• Texas A&M University – Central Texas
• Jobing.com video (http://austin.jobing.com/video_details.asp?segment=34996&i=127386)
The Patriotic Promise
Symposium Program Highlights
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Texas Workforce Commission, Labor Markets & Career Info.
Society for Human Resource Management
U.S. Veterans Chamber of Commerce
Texas ESGR
BNSF Railways
Profiles International
City of Austin
The Patriotic Promise
Symposium Program Highlights (con’t)
• Ultra Electronics
• Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Veterans Leadership Program
• Military Warriors Support Foundation
• Fort Hood Transition Center, U.S. Army
• Veteran Employment and Training Services, U.S. DOL
• BNSF Railways, Transportation Talent Development
• Raytheon Company Missile Systems Talent Acquisition
Veteran employment initiatives
can easily align with your
SHRM state council strategy!
Veteran Support Service Links
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Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Texas Veteran’s Commission
Texas Workforce Commission Veteran’s Leadership Program
U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs
TexVet Initiative, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center
Veteran Support Service Links
(con’t)
•
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•
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Feds Hire Vets, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Hire Heroes USA, U.S. DOL
Department of Defense Community Relations
Bring Everyone in the Zone
Wounded Warrior Project, Warrior to Work
VA Center for Minority Veterans
Texas Employer Support of the
Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
John Steele, Executive Director
Texas ESGR
P.O. Box 5218
Austin, TX 78763
512-782-5829
john.h.steele2@us.army.mil
Texas Military Forces
Transition Assistance Advisor
Texas Military Forces
2200 West 35th Street, Bldg 10C,
Room 111
Austin, TX 78703
512-782-1201; 512-633-1850
www.agd.tx.state.us
Texas Military Forces
Job Connection Education Program
Texas JCEP
5104 Sandage Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76115
817-689-1329
www.jcep.info
Texas Military Forces
Yellow Ribbon Job Fairs
Texas Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program
2200 West 35th Street, Bldg 10C, Room 111
Austin, TX 78703
512-782-1456
lynne.day@us.army.mil
Texas Veteran Leadership Program
(TVLP)
TexVet Initiative Manager
Texas Workforce Commission
101 East 15th Street, Room 202-T
Austin, TX 78778-1442
TexVet Initiative – Partners Across Texas
TexVet Initiative Manager
3950 North A. W. Grimes, 4th Floor
Round Rock , TX 78665
512-341-4923; 254-247-9203
tstroud@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Work Opportunity Tax Credit in Texas
Norma Martinez
Texas Workforce Commission
101 East 15th Street, Room 202-T
Austin, TX 78778-1442
512-305-9602; 800-695-6879(WOTC info)
Fax 463-8819
norma.martinez@twc.state.tx.us
Suggestions?
Be sure to let us know.
Dr. Barbara Lyon, SPHR
Workforce Readiness Director
Texas State Council
Web: www.texasshrm.org
2009 Texas State Council Certification Director
2008 Texas State Council Certification Director
2007 Texas State Council College Relations Director
2006 Texas State Council College Relations Director
2005 Texas State Council College Relations Director
2004 SHRM Region III HR Games Director
2004 Texas State Council College Relations Director
2003 Central Texas HRMA Chapter President
2003 SHRM Area IV College Relations Director
2002 HR Southwest Educator of the Year
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2004-2009 Texas State Council HR Games Director
2003-2005 SHRM National College Relations Committee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Professor
Human Resource Management
Texas A&M University—Central Texas
1901 S. Clear Creek Road
Killeen, TX 76549
E-mail: bjlyon@ct.tamus.edu
Web:: www.tarleton.edu/~blyon