{"id":44856,"date":"2019-11-01T16:16:02","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T16:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/11\/01\/feds-allege-walmart-violated-reservists-employment-rights\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:40:23","slug":"feds-allege-walmart-violated-reservists-employment-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/pay-benefits\/2019\/11\/01\/feds-allege-walmart-violated-reservists-employment-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Feds allege Walmart violated reservist\u2019s employment rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Justice Department<\/a> has filed suit in federal court against Walmart, Inc., alleging the company violated the law by refusing to hire a reservist because of her upcoming annual two-week training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Colorado, Lindsey Hunger, a petty officer 3rd class in the Navy Reserve, applied for a part-time job with the Walmart on Rimrock Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado in May, 2016. She was contacted by the story\u2019s personnel coordinator about a part-time seasonal position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After they discussed the details of the position, Hunger told the personnel coordinator that she would have to take two weeks off for her annual training. The coordinator responded \u201cthat summer was a busy time at Walmart, the store needed someone who would be there, and Walmart could not support Hunger\u2019s absence for two weeks,\u201d according to the complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At that point, the personnel coordinator ended the call, \u201cstating that she could not hire Hunger,\u201d according to the complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justice Department<\/a> officials contend Walmart violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by denying initial employment to Hunger because of her military service. \u201cHunger\u2019s military service and obligation to serve was a \u2018motivating factor\u2019 in Walmart\u2019s decision not to hire her,\u201d the lawsuit stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The complaint asks for damages in the form of lost wages and other benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cService members risk their lives to protect all of us. They deserve our full support, and the law does not permit employers to use military service as a reason to deny service members jobs and other employment opportunities,\u201d said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division, in an announcement of the filing. He added that the Justice Department will continue to aggressively enforce USERRA and other federal laws that protect service members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and the allegations being made are extremely disturbing,” Walmart officials said in a statement to Military Times. \u201cWe have policies and training in place to help ensure we are compliant with all laws, including USERRA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe take this seriously and will respond with the court as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walmart is one of the largest employers of both active military and veterans, officials said. \u201cAt any given time, Walmart has several thousand associates on military leave of absence. In 2012, Walmart signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve and we remain committed to our military members.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\t