Ombudsman Services

USERRA & FMLA

 Uniformed Service Employment & Reemployment Rights Act

The primary means of assistance in preventing, resolving, or reducing employer and/or employee problems and misunderstandings that result from National Guard or Reserve membership is done through a nationwide Ombudsman Program. ESGR has a national network of over 900 volunteer ombudsmen who help resolve issues between employers and their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. These volunteers, each of whom receives extensive training on USERRA and dispute resolution techniques, serve as informal mediators between the employer and employee and inform and educate the employer and employee on what the law requires and assist in finding a mutually agreeable solution. ESGR Ombudsmen have successfully mediated over 95 percent of cases in the past year.

ESGR Ombudsmen are a resource for employers and members of the National Guard and Reserve, and can be reached via e-mail at USERRA@osd.mil or by phone at (800) 336-4590.

If you believe your rights under USERRA have been violated by your employer, you can call 1-800-336-4590 option (1) to speak with an ESGR representative or you may fill out the online ESGR Form 100 and have your complaint reviewed. An ESGR representative will contact you within 48 hours after receiving your request.

Click the following link for additional information: Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

Click here to be directed to the online USERRA Complaint Request Form 100

Family and Military Leave Act

In 2009 Congress expanded the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to include members of the National Guard, Reserve Components and their families. The Act is administered and enforced by the US Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division, and only applies to employers with 50 or more employees located within 75 miles of the employer’s location, meaning that some small employers are exempt from compliance. Click here for Frequently Asked Questions and Answers