Navigating Military Spouse Career Growth

A number of brand-new developments might affect the work of military service members and their households and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Changes range from propositions to increase rewards for hiring military spouses to boosted work securities for service members while on duty. Military spouse job opportunity and assistance stay a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Expense Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) introduced an updated variation of the Improve and Improve the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to military spouses. The WOTC provides federal tax credits to companies that work with specific "American job candidates who have actually regularly dealt with barriers to work." That proposed legislation is similar to the Military Partner Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), presented previously in 2025.

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Regular Relocations Regular relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more challenging for companies to work with and retain military partners. Expanding the WOTC might produce brand-new rewards for companies to hire military partners and tap into this underutilized talent swimming pool.

How to Secure Grants for Veterans

The U.S. Congress has actually not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it could lead to lowered PCS relocations that might impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently provides civilian employment leave protections for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or voluntarily deployed for military service.

The Dole Act boosted anti-retaliation securities and enabled plaintiffs declaring USERRA offenses to look for minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' costs. Agencies and courts might continue to analyze and apply the Dole Act's USERRA-related provisions.

New Company Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) launched a program for employers to look for guidance for making sure compliance. The Assistance and Help for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is a chance for employers to demand technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or specific problems in their workforce before the beginning of a DOL/VETS grievance or suit.

Top priority actions consist of evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, updating military leave and reemployment policies, validating health-benefit extension treatments, and lining up hiring and tax-credit screening processes to quickly capture brand-new rewards for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' new Armed force Labor force Practice Group brings together a group of attorneys, a lot of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently encourage on USERRA compliance, policy advancement, multistate implementation, and investigations and lawsuits.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Customer Website covers brand-new laws and developments in Military Leave. All client-users have access to Pictures and Updates. Premium customers have access to information, updated design templates, and other resources. To learn more on the Customer Website or a Client Portal membership, please reach out to .

The Modern Approach to Military Debt

Tax day is. Have you filed with MilTax yet? Whether you're just getting your documents together, struck a snag or require to declare an extension, we've got your back with free filing software application and tax pros prepared to assist.

For ten years, Employing Our Heroes has championed military partner employment, producing pathways to opportunity and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Annual Military Spouse Employment Summit will honor the legacy of progress while charting a vibrant course for the future. This year's top focuses on Leadership & Tradition as we recognize the partners, companies, and advocates who have actually changed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in an evolving workforce.

Together, we will build on a years of service and success to develop a future where military partners lead with strength, vision, and function.

Military spouses deal with one of the most relentless work gaps in the American labor force., military spouse unemployment has hovered around 20% or greater in current years.