News Release

ETA News Release: [09/21/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Joins in Launch of “Operation Career Front” with Home Depot

Departments of Labor, Defense and Veterans Affairs Help Military Attain Rewarding Careers

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao joined U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, Under Secretary of Defense David S.C. Chu and representatives from The Home Depot today to announce a joint public and private sector agreement to provide employment opportunities for current and former members of the U.S. military.

“This is a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together to honor our military veterans and their families by ensuring that they have good career opportunities when they come home,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Through the nationwide network of One Stop Career Centers, the Labor Department can help recruit, train and employ these brave veterans for careers that will utilize their valuable skills and proven leadership experience. Military men and women have always been there for us, now it’s our turn to be there for them.”

The Home Depot’s recruiting effort, “Operation Career Front,” will work with the departments of Labor, Defense and Veterans Affairs to link members of the military to career opportunities in their retail stores across the nation. In addition to providing employment opportunities to Active Duty, Reservists, National Guard members and Veterans, the Home Depot is also looking to employ military spouses and other dependents—including those in transition from military to civilian life, and separating active duty service members.

To protect the employment rights of the men and women in uniform, on Monday, September 20, 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) 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. The regulations explain how USERRA protects against discrimination and retaliation because of military service. It also prevents service members from suffering disadvantages due to performance of their military obligations and affords them ample time to report back to their jobs following completion of their service obligations. Most significantly, service members can be assured that the Department of Labor stands ready to render assistance when employment concerns arise.

In addition to the regulations, Secretary Chao and the DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) have taken other steps to reduce the rate of USERRA complaints including:

• Providing briefings to more than 158,000 service members and others on USERRA;
• Responding to almost 26,000 requests for technical assistance;
• Distributing more than 240 televised Public Service Announcements, with a second announcement to be released shortly; and
• Addressing most of the major human resource and employer organizations.

To find out more about USERRA, visit the Department of Labor website at www.dol.gov/vets or call 1-866-4-USA-DOL.

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