
The legislative and judicial branches of the Federal Government also are exempt from the Veterans' Preference Act unless the positions are in the competitive service (Government Printing Office, for example) or have been made subject to the Act by another law. Preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service or to executive branch positions for which Senate confirmation is required. Preference in hiring applies to permanent and temporary positions in the competitive and excepted services of the executive branch. In addition to receiving preference in competitive appointments, veterans may be considered for special noncompetitive appointments for which only they are eligible. By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others in hiring from competitive lists of eligibles and also in retention during reductions in force. Veterans' preference in its present form comes from the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944, as amended, and is now codified in various provisions of title 5, United States Code. Veterans' preference recognizes the economic loss suffered by citizens who have served their country in uniform, restores veterans to a favorable competitive position for Government employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation owed to disabled veterans. Recognizing their sacrifice, Congress enacted laws to prevent veterans seeking Federal employment from being penalized for their time in military service.

Since the time of the Civil War, veterans of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to Federal jobs. Veterans' Preference in Appointments Why Preference is Given Thus it is critically important to use the correct definitions in determining eligibility for specific rights and benefits in employment.įor additional information, including the complete text of the laws and regulations on Veterans' rights, consult the references cited.

Such conflicts entitle a veteran to VA benefits under title 38, but not necessarily to preference or service credit under title 5. But title 38 defines "period of war" to include many non-declared wars, including Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. OPM has always interpreted this to mean a war declared by Congress. For example, service during a "war" is used to determine entitlement to Veterans' preference and service credit under title 5. (Title 38 also governs Veterans' entitlement to benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).)īoth title 5 and title 38 use many of the same terms, but in different ways. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers entitlement to veterans' preferencein employment under title 5, United States Code, and oversees other statutory employment requirements in titles 5 and 38. Please check back in the coming weeks for updates. OPM is currently in the process of updating and revising the website to reflect this change, and will be updating this information as soon as possible. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will now be able to extend certain benefits to Federal employees and annuitants who have legally married a spouse of the same sex, regardless of the employee’s or annuitant’s state of residency. On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments.Guidance for Agency Leaders & Coordinators.Employee Wellness Programs Toggle submenu.Training Program Management Toggle submenu.Snow & Dismissal Procedures Toggle submenu.Presidential Rank Awards Toggle submenu.Senior Executive Service Toggle submenu.Recruitment, Relocation & Retention Incentives.Federal Labor-Management Information System.Labor Management Relations Toggle submenu.Federal Workforce Priorities Report (FWPR).Human Capital Management Toggle submenu.Frequently Asked Questions for Hybrid Work Environment.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Toggle submenu.Selective Placement Program Coordinator.Data, Analysis & Documentation Toggle submenu.General Schedule Qualification Standards.

