There are several laws on the books designed to protect employees from discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and other distinguishing characteristics. However, there is one law not many employees or employers know a lot about—one that every person who has served in the U.S. military needs to know.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects military personnel when they step away from civilian life to serve our country. It is designed to prevent employers from denying veterans employment, returning to employment or opportunity for advancement within the company because of their military service.

Though this law has been on the books since 1994, few veterans are aware of their USERRA rights. They aren't always cognizant of discrimination they face from employers because they have to take time off from work to serve in one of our military branches. They might feel that being passed over for a promotion or losing vacation time is justified by the fact that they had to be away for two weeks while attending their annual military training.