SHRM Texas State Council Veteran Employment Initiative Toolkit 2011

SHRM Texas State Council

Veteran Employment Initiative Toolkit

2011

Veteran Employment Initiative Toolkit Content

Areas1. 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, SPHRTexas A&M University—Central Texas

2010-2011 Texas State CouncilWorkforce Readiness

Initiative

Dr. Barbara Lyon, SPHR Bob Cartwright, SPHRWorkforce Readiness Director Collaborative Industry Alliances

(CIA) Director

• Workforce Readiness

• Diversity• College Relations

SHRM Core Leadership Areas & Veteran Employment

Initiatives

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 ReadinessWorking Definition (SHRM, 2008)

• Workforce entrants

• Incumbent workers

• Transitioning workers

• Mature workers

Workforce ReadinessTarget Groups

• Workforce entrants > veterans

• Incumbent workers• Transitioning workers >

veterans• Mature workers

TSC Target Group 2010-2011

• Veteran Services

• Legislation• Research• Other

Veteran Employment Initiatives

Recent Events

OIF OEF

Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA)

Veteran Employment Legislation

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 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.

USERRA Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

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.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA), 2009

AARA

Veteran employment knowledge fits easily into

your professional development plan (and HRCI

recertification process, as well)!

Align with Employer’sHR Strategy

Develop StrategyAlign with HR strategy.

Communicate CommitmentProvide coherent programs.

Mentor Veteran EmployeesDevelop managers and veteran

employees.Improve Continuously

Provide continuous improvement of programs.

• ESGR Certificates• Web and Social

Networking• Career Workshops• Hire Our Vets Job Fairs• Strategic Initiatives

RecommendedEmployer Activities

• 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 Enthusiastic Welcome Respectful Support Job Opportunities Workplace Skills Assessment Tools Education Opportunities

• Career Workshops

Language Translation Resume Development Interview Skills Workplace Skills Assessment Tools Education Opportunities

• Hire a Vet Job

Fairs

Plan & Network Organize Conduct Assess

• Strategic Initiatives

Develop strategy Communicate

commitment Mentor veteran

employees Continuously improve

Academic Strategic Planning Process

Mission, Vision, Values

External Scan

Internal Scan

Goals

Objectives

Evaluation

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

Veteran Employment Initiative Model

Develop Strategy Communicate Commitment

Mentor Veteran Employees

Veteran Employment Taskforce

Veteran Cultural Awareness

Demographics Assessment

Goals/Benchmark Development

Align initiative with organization mission, vision, values

Networking (Veteran Services, SHRM, Social Tech.)

Respectful, Welcoming Environment

Recruiting Initiatives

Success Communication

(Align with HR strategy) (Provide coherent programs)

(Develop managers and veteran employees)

Management Support

Veteran Transition Assistance

Warrior Employee Advancement

Materials Development

Improve Continuously

On-going, integrated, organization-wide review /feedback process

Quality enhancement

(Provide for continuous improvement in programs and services to support mission

accomplishment)

Veteran Employment Taskforce

Veteran Cultural Awareness

Demographics Assessment

Goals/Benchmark Development

Develop Strategy(Align with HR strategy.)

Communicate Commitment

Networking (Veteran Services, SHRM, Social Tech.)

Respectful, Welcoming Environment

Recruiting Initiatives

Success Communication

(Provide coherent programs)

Mentor Veteran Employees(Develop managers and veteran

employees)

Management Support

Veteran Transition Assistance

Warrior Employee Advancement

Materials Development

Improve Continuously

On-going, integrated, organization-wide review /feedback process

Quality enhancement

(Provide for continuous improvement in programs and services to support mission accomplishment)

Veteran employment initiatives can easily align with your organization’s

HR strategy!

• ESGR Certificates (Statement of Support)

• Chapter Meeting Topic

• Career Workshops• Hire a Vet Job Fairs

Align with SHRMChapter Activities

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!

The Patriotic Promise

Texas State Council Initiatives Summit &

Symposium Series

The Patriotic Promise

Summit on Texas Veteran Employment

Issues

Round Rock, TX - September 10, 2010

The Patriotic Promise

Symposium on Texas Veteran Employment Issues

Grapevine, TX - January 21, 2011San Marcos, TX - May 20, 2011

Houston, TX - September 28, 2011El Paso, TX – November 10, 2011

Partnerships and Sponsors2010-2011

• 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

• 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 PromiseSummit 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

• 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

• 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)

• 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

John Steele, Executive DirectorTexas ESGRP.O. Box 5218Austin, TX 78763512-782-5829john.h.steele2@us.army.mil

Texas Employer Support of theGuard and Reserve (ESGR)

Transition Assistance AdvisorTexas Military Forces2200 West 35th Street, Bldg 10C, Room 111Austin, TX 78703512-782-1201; 512-633-1850www.agd.tx.state.us

Texas Military Forces

Job Connection Education Program Texas JCEP5104 Sandage AveFort Worth, TX 76115817-689-1329www.jcep.info

Texas Military Forces

Yellow Ribbon Job FairsTexas Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program 2200 West 35th Street, Bldg 10C, Room 111Austin, TX 78703512-782-1456lynne.day@us.army.mil

Texas Military Forces

TexVet Initiative ManagerTexas Workforce Commission101 East 15th Street, Room 202-TAustin, TX 78778-1442

Texas Veteran Leadership Program (TVLP)

TexVet Initiative Manager3950 North A. W. Grimes, 4th FloorRound Rock , TX 78665512-341-4923; 254-247-9203tstroud@medicine.tamhsc.edu

TexVet Initiative – Partners Across Texas

Norma MartinezTexas Workforce Commission101 East 15th Street, Room 202-TAustin, TX 78778-1442512-305-9602; 800-695-6879(WOTC info)Fax 463-8819norma.martinez@twc.state.tx.us

Work Opportunity Tax Credit in Texas

Suggestions?

Be sure to let us know.

ProfessorHuman Resource ManagementTexas A&M University—Central Texas1901 S. Clear Creek RoadKilleen, TX 76549

E-mail: bjlyon@ct.tamus.edu Web:: www.tarleton.edu/~blyon

2009 Texas State Council Certification Director2008 Texas State Council Certification Director2007 Texas State Council College Relations Director2006 Texas State Council College Relations Director2005 Texas State Council College Relations Director2004 SHRM Region III HR Games Director2004 Texas State Council College Relations Director2003 Central Texas HRMA Chapter President2003 SHRM Area IV College Relations Director2002 HR Southwest Educator of the Year~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2004-2009 Texas State Council HR Games Director2003-2005 SHRM National College Relations Committee

Dr. Barbara Lyon, SPHR

Workforce Readiness Director

Texas State Council Web: www.texasshrm.org

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