Dive Brief:
- In honor of Veterans Day, Monster released its third annual best-in-class list of employers for vets. The Best Companies for Veterans in 2017 list includes employers that follow best practices in recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans.
- Topping the list for the second year in a row is ManTech International. Veterans make up nearly half of its workforce. ManTech was followed by Intelligent Waves, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Lockheed Martin.
- Jodi Hon, senior vice president and general manager of Monster's enterprise business, said in a statement that the company is pleased to see a continued commitment to veteran hiring across numerous industries.
Dive Insight:
HR can help remove barriers many veterans face as they enter the workforce or return from active duty. Companies still struggle with recruiting, hiring, retaining and supporting veterans. Brian Robey, a retired U.S. Army Captain, told HR Dive recruiters can break down barriers for veterans by finding out what positions they held in the service; understanding that veterans are often disciplined, punctual people requiring little supervision; hiring them for supervisory roles; and encouraging them to control their own development.
Employers also must remember that while the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) is often thought of as protecting active-duty service personnel who return to the workplace after or in between duty, it also protects vets from discrimination. USERRA's nondiscrimination requirements apply whether an individual previously served, is currently serving or will serve in the future.