The VOW to Hire Heroes Act has passed the House unanimously after the Senate earlier amended it. President Obama intends to sign it soon.
Originally part of the failed American Jobs Act, the bill establishes tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed veterans and was included as an amendment to tax legislation that passed earlier this fall.
The measure provides up to a $5,600 tax credit for employers that hire veterans who have been unemployed for six months or more. For veterans unemployed for at least four weeks but for less than six months, the credit is $2,400. The bill also increases the amount under the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit to $9,600 for employers who hire veterans with service-related disabilities who have been unemployed for six months or longer.
Employers should also be cognizant of servicemembers' rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), which guarantees job protection and reinstatement rights to employees who are called to active duty. Toward this end, Personnel Concepts recommends acquiring a copy of our USERRA Leave Rights Compliance Program and putting it into effect.