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Returning Veterans Seeking Employment: When the Trickle Turns Into a Flood

Veteran Hiring

EEO Specialist
EPA
Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:32 PM

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Most agencies with the exception of VA, will not hire veterans. As long as they can select from several different certifications, they have no incentive to. OPM should make it mandatory that one in ten new hires for the year, be a qualified veteran. Until that happens these agencies will continue to passover the veterans preferance, as well as, the veterans on the cert list.

Disabled vets

Ex Postal Worker
USPS
Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:13 PM

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While the term "disabled veteran" conjures up images of the current Iraq war veterans who are seriously disabled, most veterans rated by the VA are far less impaired. When I worked for the USPS, (which has substantial physical requirements for letter carriers) many of my coworkers were "disabled vets" as defined by the VA, and there was no impact on their ability to stand sorting mail for 3-4 hours a day, lifting 70 pounds, or walking to deliver mail. Some were rated disabled because they had been injured at one time, but were now obviously quite recovered. I don't believe a recent veteran who is missing a limb gets any greater preference than someone with the same rating, who suffers very little impairment. I understand that newly returning vets are having trouble getting disability from the VA--probably because the budget is already going to folks like my fine former colleagues who don't need any accommodation and are not disabled in the eyes of anyone but the VA.

Re: Disabled vets

Diversity Manager
DOL
Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:07 PM
One only has to look at the number of "disabled CS" who are receiving a pension that can't qualify for SS disability to show who is abusing the system. There is absolutely no reason for Fed disability to exist if you can't meet SS requirements than you should be working and not a drag on the taxpayers

Re: Disabled vets

CS
SSA
Thu Jan 1, 2009 1:38 PM
DOL, I don't know if you know this or not but CS disability from the military is different from SS disability.

Re: Disabled vets

CS
SSA
Thu Jan 1, 2009 1:43 PM
How, do you know? Postal worker. Are you a doctor? You don't know what problems they suffer or pain pills they take to get through the day.

Re: Disabled vets

IT Specialist
DOD
Fri Jan 2, 2009 8:53 AM
DOL - Even private sector recognizes the fact that you can become disabled to the point where you can not perform your current job. Therefore, you qualify for disability benefits. SS on the other hand has more stringent requirements to meet with respect to being totally disabled and not being able to hold any job whatsoever inorder to get SS. Two different levels of requirements to meet. Federal Disability benefits are still based upon your years of service. Also, if you ever have looked at disability paperwork, it is not a cakewalk to fill out. OPM contracted medical services reviews the paperwork with OPM and makes a determination whether or not you are disabled. This can take 3 to 6 months to accomplish. Meantime, the employee is usually being harassed by management and threatened to be fired for performance or excessive absence from work. Even though management knows the conduct is related to medical reasons.

I Support Our Veterans

Supervisor
USA
Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:29 PM

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I am extremely proud of our men and women who are serving or who have served. 100% of my staff are vets and each does a magnificent job at work. Given the opportunity to hire more people, I will give preference to hiring vets.

Vets Prefrence need strengthened

Veteran
DHS
Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:30 PM

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It is obvious that agencies do not veterans, and congress supports it. look how many of our veterans retire between the age of 37-40. Look how many of them are in better shape and even if they have a disability have already given a service to our country can not get hired into Federal Law Enforcement, because agencies are given to much discretion in this area.........

Also, they are creative and will find ways not to hire veterans because they do not have to give vacation etc. at ahigher rate. In the FAM service it is well known and has been stated that they do not want disabled veterans in the service.

Re: Vets Prefrence need strengthened

HR Spec
IRS
Thu Jan 1, 2009 3:26 PM
The reason vets who are 37-40 years old can't get into a law enforcement position is simply because of their age. If you're over 37 you're automatically eliminated, regardless of your veteran status. The reasoning is that you'll never qualify for a law enforcement retirement before you'll be forced to retire at age 57. Could this rule be changed? Yes, but it will probably call for an act of Congress.

Re: Disabled vets

Gov Worker
DoD
Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:22 PM

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Ex Postal worker. So are you now a VA rater? Someone with 50% PTSD probably could work in the post office. Hearing issues, foot issues, etc.. Many Vets that used to work at the USPS were not really given any assistance and had to leave also. Maybe you should read BVA decisions on the VA website before you are quick to judge the "disabled Vets." I know plenty in wheel chairs if that would make you happy.

Disabled vets

HR Spec
IRS
Thu Jan 1, 2009 3:33 PM

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I think the system needs changing, if only to make it more equitable for veterans. For example, why should a vet who never left this country, but whose congenital kidney defect flared up while in the service (resulting in its removal) get the same points as a veteran who lost a limb while in combat? Or get more points that an veteran wo served in combat but was fortunate enough not to lose a limb?

As for hiring vets, I think a lot of managers simply assume that military experience is all a vet has to offer, and that it won't translate to the job being filled. It's very difficult to re-eucate this mind set, about as difficult as it is to re-educate the military mindset about the role of women in combat.

Re: Disabled vets

Prof
Small College
Fri Jan 2, 2009 6:46 PM
If you have served in the military I will accept your statement at face value, even I do not concur. If you are not a veteran what you think does not matter. Disabled veterans have been disabled while in the service of their country. It does matter not how the disability occurred. Have you been disabled in the service of your country? Paper cuts excluded.

Re: Disabled vets

NWA
NCA
Mon Jan 5, 2009 9:41 AM
It's odd for a "Prof" to say that what anyone thinks "does not matter". It does matter what all of us think, including non-veterans. Otherwise, why all the complaints on this & other articles about the devious ways non-vet managers try to get around hiring vets?
Whether you like it or not, what NVs think of vets matters (and vice-versa). The HR Spec makes a valid point & one that is actually supportive of employment of vets. Back to your ivory tower, Prof..

Re: Disabled vets

Diversity Manager
DOL
Mon Jan 5, 2009 5:07 PM
all govt employees are slackers whether they are civilian or military

Re: Disabled vets

NWA
NCA
Wed Jan 7, 2009 10:02 AM
"All" govt employees??? What kind of simple-minded fool would make a generalization like that? Including active military personnel as well? All govt employees, civilian & military, like ALL members of any large population group, don't agree on whether the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning. DOL, looks like someone snuck some loco weed into your feed

Re: Disabled vets

QAS
DLA
Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:05 PM
I agree 100 percent Professor. And who is this Diversity Manager at DOL? I feel for anyone who works for you. Did you ever think that you could be the reason that people don't do their jobs?

Quals?

Supervisor
USFS
Mon Jan 5, 2009 4:56 PM

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We have a large influx of returning veterans to come while at the same time our budgets and organizations have been reduced to minimal numbers. What vacancies will those veterans fill? First they have to be qualified for the position and in many cases certified for the type of work they will be doing. Is there an expectation that we will ignore those requirements just to fill positions with veterans? We do have many employees ready to retire within five years, but these are career employees with much experience and many qualifications.

Re: Quals?

QAS
DLA
Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:55 PM
And where did all these career employees get all this experience and qualifications? Did they have it when they began their careers? I have 35 years, am qualified and experienced but when I got out of the Air Force and started my Federal career many years ago I was as green as anyone else. We all have to start somewhere.
Total Comments: 41
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