The Virginia Interfaith Center is our state's oldest non-partisan coalition that works to support public policy by engaging people of any faith, educating and advocating for the citizens of our Commonwealth about social issues and legislative processes.
This group monitors each General Assembly session, and is currently engaged in a Call To Action campaign in support of our military personnel and their families.
In the military, transfers are expected and can be frequent, especially when our country in engaged in multiple wars and global peace keeping efforts. When a service member is relocated and his/her spouse comes along, that person often has to leave a job. Virginia considers this a "voluntary separation without good cause" and disallows unemployment benefits.
How cheap and punitive can we be? Especially considering the positive economic benefits Virginia derives from military facilities in our state?
Just like workers' compensation providing insurance when an employee is hurt on the job, employers are required to contribute to state and federal unemployment programs. These are part of the taxes all businesses pay when they have regular employees (versus contract labor), whether the workers are full time, part time, wage or salaried.
According to the Virginia Interfaith Center, "When military spouses leave their jobs to follow their service member to a new duty station, the quit is not voluntary. Members of the military can be prosecuted and jailed if they refuse to accept a transfer. Consequently, military spouses must follow their husbands or wives to keep their families intact. As a practical matter, they leave employment by force – not by choice."
Legislation to remedy this disservice to our military families is currently before the General Assembly -- it's been killed and resurrected several times this session. Is it a hardship for all employers to increase Virginia Employment Commission taxes by 0.80¢ per employee, per year?
Many Virginians know nothing about this legislation or the vote which is scheduled tomorrow. NRV readers are asked to click on this Call to Action link, sending a message to Del. Dave Nutter seeking his support of SB 1495 -- and to pass this on to all e-friends. Support those who sacrifice for our safety and freedom, and help mitigate financial stress associated with this service.