Reservists Say War Makes Them Lose Jobs

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=513&e=4&u=/ap/returning_from_war_guard

WASHINGTON - Increasing numbers of National Guard and Reserve troops who have returned from war in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites) are encountering new battles with their civilian employers at home. Jobs were eliminated, benefits reduced and promotions forgotten.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Labor Department (news - web sites) reports receiving greater numbers of complaints under a 1994 law designed to give Guard and Reserve troops their old jobs back, or provide them with equivalent positions. Benefits and raises must be protected, as if the serviceman or servicewoman had never left.

Some soldiers, however, are finding the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act can't protect them.

_Larry Gill couldn't return as a police officer in Thomasville, Ala., because a grenade injured a foot, making it impossible for him to chase criminals or duck bullets.

_Jerry Chambers, of Oberlin, Kan., discovered budget cuts had eliminated his job as a substance abuse prevention consultant.

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I don't care how many flags they put on their Excursion.

If the person would have been laid off anyway, based on their seniority, etc., the law can't protect them. The thing that stinks is that they probably weren't making the same amount dodging bullets as they were on their regular job and they didn't get any kind of warning, which often happens prior to a lay off. The best people that are expecting to be laid off usually go out and find new jobs first if they can. If you're stationed over in Iraq, you don't have that advantage.

people because they are in the Marine Reserves? I personally know of a young man who went to Kuwait, and now his employer will not promote him to a higher position than assistant store manager because of his two week reserve training. Is that not discriminatory?

their going to get screwed ...

This should be good for a Hannity rant or two...NOT.

I would not hire any. The government makes you hold their job open for the duration of their activation. That puts such a huge strain on small business that it is unfair. The only thing is not to hire a Guardsman or Reservist in the first place. Sucks but that is what Bush* has created. It is one thing for them to be gone week ends and two weeks a year but gone for over a year with no time frame for return is just not acceptable.

The warmongering President did--he's managed to lose jobs for everyone in the USA! I feel very badly for these returning troops, but by creating the worst job climate since Herbert Hoover, the President has really hammered everyone.