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October 27, 2004    DOL Home > More Highlights   

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"Highlights" items focus on newsworthy events sponsored by the Department to strengthen the workforce and the business community.



October 2004
The Labor Beacon Newsletter Highlights Issues of Interest to Minority Communities
The Labor Beacon Newsletter is a monthly publication of the Department of Labor highlighting issues of interest to minority communities.

VETS Releases USERRA Public Service Announcement
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides reemployment rights following qualifying service in the uniformed services. USERRA also prohibits employers from discriminating or retaliating against persons on the basis of their military service/obligations, intent to join a uniformed service or actions taken to enforce any person's rights under USERRA. As our nation continues its war on terrorism, the activation of thousands of National Guard members has made protecting their employment rights one of the Department of Labor's highest priorities. This 30-second Public Service Announcement is directed at private and public employers and reminds them of their role and legal responsibilities under USERRA in reemploying Guard and Reserve members coming off of active duty.


September 2004
"Hire Vets First" Campaign Launches October 1
The President’s National Hire Veterans Committee is pleased to announce that the www.HireVetsFirst.gov Web site is now available. The Web site provides information on the Hire Vets First initiative and directs businesses interested in hiring veterans to America’s Service Locator (http://www.servicelocator.org/nearest_onestop.asp) or to 1-877-US2-JOBS to find their closest One-Stop Career Center for services. The Web site also refers veterans interested in employment opportunities to their nearest One-Stop Career Center via the same methods.

Labor Department Posts Draft Regulations for Law that Safeguards Guard and Reserve Members' Jobs and Benefits
DOL announced that it has published draft regulations in the Federal Register that interpret the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act of 1994 (USERRA). Congress passed USERRA to safeguard the employment rights and benefits of service members upon their return to civilian life.

DOL Launches Online elaws Advisor on Revised Overtime Security Regulations
DOL developed a new Web tool to help employers and employees learn about the revised overtime exemption rules that went into effect August 23, 2004. The elaws FLSA Overtime Security Advisor helps individuals and businesses understand whether a particular employee is entitled to overtime protection by asking questions about his or her primary job responsibilities and compensation. Then, based on the user's responses, the system makes a determination as to whether or not that employee is likely to be exempt from FLSA's overtime pay requirements.

Secretary Chao Receives Community Leadership Award from Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund
The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund honored U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao for her support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The award was presented during the organization's 2004 Community Leadership dinner.

DOL Provides Assistance to Workers Affected by Hurricanes
Information on employment and support services for workers and safety and health information and resources for those assisting with disaster cleanup.

Creating Opportunities for Asian Pacific Americans
As the first American woman of Asian descent to be in a President's Cabinet, Secretary Chao has always stated her commitment and strong ties to this community. Under her leadership, DOL has made significant contributions to the advancement of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through its human capital program, enforcement priorities, compliance assistance efforts and partnership activities.





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