LANSING – State Representatives Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens), Lisa Wojno (D-Warren/Center Line), Frank Accavitti (D-Eastpointe) and Steve Bieda (D-Warren) today voted for a plan to protect the jobs of Michigan residents called to active military duty.
"Every single one of our troops serving on the front lines volunteered to be there," Miller said. "They volunteered to put their own lives on hold, and, in fact, put their own lives at risk. Once they return, we need to offer as much support as we can as they transition back to normal life. This is about showing our respect and gratitude for the sacrifices they have made."
Currently, state law requires employers to keep service members' civilian jobs open for just 15 days once they get home from active duty. The bill passed today extends that to 90 days.
"The current law does not provide nearly enough time for our military men and women to ease back into their professional lives once they return home," Wojno said. "It can be overwhelming, after being abroad for so long fighting for our country, to accomplish all the tasks required to return to civilian life. Fifteen days just isn't enough time to get everything done."
In addition to extending the period of job protection, the bill also gives servicemembers the right to file a lawsuit in circuit court against employers who refuse to abide by the law.
"The last thing our brave men and women should have to worry about when they return is a 15-day deadline to return to their civilian jobs," Accavitti said. "This plan provides our servicemembers with the job protection that they have earned."
Members of the military may receive reinstatement to their civilian jobs as well as reimbursement of legal fees.
"Our troops deserve the security of knowing that they will be employed and able to feed their families when they return home," Bieda said. "There is no way to measure the sacrifices they have made for us, and putting these protections in place is the least we can do."