The U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement this week with a central Indiana furniture store for failing to rehire a soldier upon return from duty. That’s a violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
Indiana Army National Guard Capt. Christopher Robbins had worked at an Ashley HomeStore in Greenwood for about three years.
In 2017, he needed to be excused from work for mandatory military exercises. But Robbins told federal investigators when he returned, he was fired for missing days.
Under federal law, all public and private workplaces employing National Guard members must rehire them, with at least the same position and pay.
The company agreed to pay Robbins $6,000 in damages, make store supervisors undergo mandatory training and post notices at stores saying they will comply with federal military rehiring laws.
Contact reporter Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.
