Veteran Service Member Rights - Worker.gov

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE).  This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025.  Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.

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Veteran and Service Member Rights

Veterans and service members have certain employment protections.

Your employer may not discriminate against you because of your service member or veteran status.

You may also be entitled to reemployment with your pre-service employer following qualifying service in the uniformed services.

You may also be eligible for hiring preferences in the Federal Government because you are a veteran.

Tell us about your concern, so you can learn about your rights and find out whom to contact if you need more information.

Common Concerns

I was treated unfairly because I am a veteran or service member

I was treated unfairly by my employer, who is a federal contractor or subcontractor, because of my status as a protected veteran

I wasn’t reemployed (or properly reemployed) when I returned from deployment

I’m a veteran and I was not hired by the Federal Government

I was treated unfairly because I am married to or associated with a veteran or service member

I was retaliated against by my employer because I tried to enforce my rights, or someone else’s rights, as a veteran or service member

I don’t see my concern listed and would like to talk to someone who deals with veterans’ employment issues