SB 123

Under current law, November 11 (Veterans Day) is a legal holiday. This bill

requires every public and private employer in this state to grant to each employee

who is a veteran a paid leave of absence for the entire workday on Veterans Day, or

on the following Monday if Veterans Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday and the

employee is not scheduled to work on that day. Under the bill, for employees who are

covered under a collective bargaining agreement, the paid leave of absence is granted

only if so provided in the collective bargaining agreement.

The bill prohibits an employer from discharging or discriminating against an

employee in promotion, in compensation, or in the terms, conditions, or privileges of

employment for taking a paid leave of absence on Veterans Day; opposing a discharge

or discrimination in violation of the bill; filing a complaint or attempting to enforce

a right under the bill; or testifying or assisting in any action or proceeding to enforce

a right under the bill. An employee who is discharged or discriminated against in

violation of the bill may file a complaint with the Department of Workforce

Development (DWD), and DWD must process the complaint in the same manner that

employment discrimination complaints are processed under current law. That

processing may include the ordering of back pay, reinstatement, compensation in

lieu of reinstatement, and costs and attorney fees.