Why Are We Asking?
It is our practice to ask regarding your US veteran status because some programs may be subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) of 1974 as amended by the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002 (“VEVRAA”). Under the VEVRAA equal opportunity clause, entities contracting with the US Government are required to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment certain Protected Veterans. Our obligations include (a) inviting individual employment applicants to voluntarily disclose to us their US Veteran status, (b) engaging in US Veteran outreach in our recruitment efforts, (c) keeping an affirmative action program that includes US Veterans, and (d) monitoring how effective we are in our outreach efforts.
Providing this information to us is entirely voluntary on your part. There are no adverse consequences with respect to our employment selection process if you choose not to provide this information, although we will not apply any obligations we may have to you if you would qualify as a Protected Veteran.
If you do provide us this information, it will be kept confidential and used only for purposes that are consistent with our obligations under VEVRAA and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In particular, we will also use the information to (i) inform US Government officials charged with investigating and enforcing the provisions of VEVRAA or, as the case may be, the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ii) inform your managers of any work restrictions and/or necessary accommodations resulting from your Veteran’s disability status, and (iii) inform any first responder personnel as the context may indicate should you require emergency medical treatment.
What is a Protected Veteran?
Under VEVRAA, a Protected Veteran is defined as follows:
- A Disabled Veteran, who is a veteran of the US Military (including all ground, naval, or air forces) and is entitled to US military disability compensation, or a US Veteran who was discharged from US military active duty due to a disability connected to US Military service.
- A US Military Veteran (including all ground, naval, or air forces) who separated from service within the three year period immediately preceding the Veteran’s application to our Company.
- An Active Duty Wartime and Campaign Badge US Veteran, who is a person who served in the US Military on active duty during a campaign, expedition, or war, for which service the Department of Defense has authorized a Campaign Badge.
- An Armed Forces Services Medal US Veteran, who is a person who served in the US military (including all ground, naval, or air forces) on active duty and participated in a US Military operation resulting in the award of an Armed Forces Service Medal under Executive Order 12985.
If you meet one or more of the above criteria, you may be a Protected Veteran to whom VEVRAA applies.