Overcoming Spouse Career Barriers in 2026

Numerous new developments could affect the employment of military service members and their households and companies' compliance responsibilities in 2026. Changes vary from propositions to increase incentives for hiring military spouses to enhanced employment protections for service members while on duty. Military spouse employment chances and assistance remain a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Costs Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) introduced an upgraded version of the Improve and Enhance the Work Chance Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to military partners. The WOTC provides federal tax credits to companies that hire particular "American job seekers who have actually regularly dealt with barriers to employment." That proposed legislation resembles the Military Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), presented previously in 2025.

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Frequent Movings Regular relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more tough for companies to hire and maintain military partners. Expanding the WOTC might develop brand-new incentives for employers to work with military spouses and tap into this underutilized skill swimming pool.

Addressing Military Career Gaps

The U.S. Congress has not yet used up the STAY Act this year, however if it is ultimately enacted, it could lead to decreased PCS moves that might affect 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.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Advantages Enhancement Act (Dole Act), that included arrangements affecting USERRA enforcement and solutions. The Dole Act strengthened anti-retaliation protections and enabled complainants declaring USERRA offenses to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' fees. Agencies and courts may continue to translate and apply the Dole Act's USERRA-related provisions.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) introduced a program for employers to seek guidance for making sure compliance. The Support and Support for Leaders in USERRA Training and Work (SALUTE) program is a chance for employers to demand technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or specific issues in their workforce before the onset of a DOL/VETS complaint or suit.

Top priority actions consist of evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, confirming health-benefit continuation treatments, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to rapidly record new rewards for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' new Military Labor force Practice Group combines a team of attorneys, a lot of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently encourage on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate application, and investigations and lawsuits.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Customer Website covers new laws and developments in Armed force Leave. All client-users have access to Snapshots and Updates. Premium subscribers have access to details, updated templates, and other resources. For more information on the Customer Website or a Customer Website membership, please connect to .

How to Secure Grants for Veterans

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For 10 years, Employing Our Heroes has promoted military partner employment, developing pathways to chance and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this turning point, the 10th Yearly Military Partner Employment Top will honor the legacy of progress while charting a strong course for the future. This year's summit focuses on Leadership & Tradition as we acknowledge the partners, employers, and supporters who have actually changed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to thrive in a progressing workforce.

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

Military partners deal with among the most relentless employment spaces in the American workforce. According to information from the US Department of Labor, military partner unemployment has hovered around 20% or higher in the last few years. This far exceeds the nationwide average, which usually falls listed below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military partner herself, shows how those difficulties play out in practice and how partners can browse them better.