The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) of 1994 codifies the belief that military service should not cost an individual a civilian career. Although the statute is over three decades old, lawmakers and courts continue to refine and expand its reach. Two critical legislative changes in the last three years (the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act of 2022 and Senator Elizabeth Dole Twenty‑First Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act of 2025) represent the most consequential updates since USERRA’s original passage. Employers that have not revisited their military leave policies recently should review the new provisions, which expand coverage, increase financial exposure, and tighten the standard for retaliation claims.
