Jim Higgins - US DOL Announces New Toolkit To Help Employers Hire Veterans

VETS News Release: October 28, 2010
Contact Name: Jesse Lawder or Bennett Gamble
Phone Number: (202) 693-4659 or x4667
Release Number: 10-1503-NAT

Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of a new online toolkit to assist employers as they navigate the process of hiring veterans. The toolkit, which is free, is designed to assist and educate employers who have made the proactive decision to include veterans and wounded warriors in their recruitment and hiring initiatives.

Employers and the nation will benefit as they develop or enhance their veterans hiring initiative for their company and this new toolkit will help them better understand where to begin according to Ray Jefferson, assistant secretary for the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service. "This toolkit was created with these employers in mind. It's designed to simplify the process and put valuable, vetted resources at the employer's fingertips."

Developed as part of the department's "America's Heroes at Work" initiative, the Veterans Hiring Toolkit features a straightforward six-step process pinpointing helpful tools for a business to design a veterans hiring initiative. These steps include creating an educated and welcoming environment for veteran employees; actively recruiting veterans, wounded warriors and military spouses; learning how to accommodate qualified veterans and wounded warriors in the workplace; and promoting an inclusive workplace to help retain veteran employees. The toolkit also helps employers navigate the plethora of resources for hiring veterans available to them.

The final section of the toolkit features a quick reference list of reputable online resources to help users find and welcome talented and skilled veterans into their companies. Examples include links to veterans employment service organizations, places to receive consultations on workplace accommodations and answers to common employer questions about hiring veterans and wounded warriors. Whether users are looking to create a veterans hiring program from scratch or retool existing efforts, the toolkit can help them design and implement a customized initiative.
To access the toolkit, visit http://www.AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov/forEmployers/HiringToolkit.

For assistance with your hiring needs including veterans reporting requirements, contact Affirmative Action Services. Contact Jim Higgins at JHiggins@AffirmativeActionServices.com or (916) 204-1749 or visit us on the web at www.AffirmativeActionServices.com.