Veterans, service members, transitioning military personnel, and military families have important workplace rights and access to employment resources. Whether you are returning to a civilian job, applying for federal employment, balancing military service with civilian work, or seeking information about protections under federal law, the U.S. Department of Labor can help.
Federal law protects eligible veterans and service members from discrimination and may provide rights related to reemployment after military service, military family leave, and protection from retaliation for exercising workplace rights. Veterans may also qualify for hiring preferences for certain federal jobs, and some employers that do business with the federal government have responsibilities related to recruiting and employing protected veterans.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) provides employment resources, career assistance, and information about employment rights for veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and employers.
Explore veteran and service member employment topics
Find information on employment rights and resources for veterans, service members, and their families.
Veteran and service member rights – Learn about workplace protections for veterans and service members.
Veterans' preference – Find information about veterans' preference in federal hiring.
Reemployment rights – Understand your rights to return to civilian employment after qualifying military service under USERRA.
Family of veteran – Learn about employment resources and protections available to military spouses and family members.
Protection from retaliation for exercising rights – Learn about protections against retaliation for asserting your employment rights.
Military family leave – Find information about leave available under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for qualifying military family needs.
Leave to perform military service – Learn about leave related to military service and related employment protections.
Federal contracting and veteran employment – Learn about veteran employment requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors.
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) to learn more about employment assistance and workplace rights for veterans and military families.