Department of Labor Prepares to Launch HIRE Vets Medallion Award for 2019

The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act) was signed by President Trump on May 5, 2017, and required the Secretary of Labor to establish a program that recognizes employer efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans. The program that was subsequently created is called the “HIRE Vets Medallion Award” and will be the only federal level award to recognize employers of all sizes for their efforts to recruit, employ, and retain our nation’s veterans.

 

Employers can achieve either Gold or Platinum status. Criteria vary based on company size and include:

 

1. Percentage of new hires during the previous year that are veterans;
2. Percentage of veteran employees retained for a period of at least 12 months;
3. Percentage of employees who are veterans;
4. Provision of an employee veteran organization or resource group to assist new veteran employees with integration, including coaching and mentoring;
5. Provision of programs to enhance the leadership skills of veteran employees during their employment;
6. Employment of a dedicated human resources professional or initiatives to support hiring, training, and retention of veteran employees;
7. Provision of compensation to employees serving on active duty in the United States National Guard or Reserve, that is sufficient, in combination with the employee’s active duty pay, to achieve a combined level of income commensurate with the employee’s salary prior to undertaking active duty;
8. Provision of a tuition assistance program to support veteran employees’ attendance in postsecondary education during the term of their employment; and
9. Employer with an adverse labor law decision, stipulated agreement, contract debarment, or contract termination, as defined in the rule, pursuant to either of the following labor laws will not be eligible to receive an Award: Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA); or Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).

 

DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) will begin accepting applications for this award in January 2019. To learn more about timelines, application fees, eligibility, and other FAQs, please visit HIRE Vets Medallion Program online.