An upcoming workshop for Human Resources professionals will highlight various ways to create a military-friendly workplace. 

The USO of NC, along with Winston-Salem SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) present the Hiring and Retaining Military Talent Workshop. 

Why You Should Consider Hiring Veterans

  • Proven Leadership: Veterans were put into leadership roles at early stages of their time in the service. The real world, front line and often battle proven leadership developed in the military is well beyond that of a similar person in a civilian job.
  • Team Players: From the early stages of initial training, all members of the military are used to working in a team environment. Some teams are small, others very large, but all members of the team know that their individual efforts are to support the team in reaching the larger objective.
  • Work Ethic: The work ethic of veterans is unparalleled due to the need to depend on each other for their lives. Every military person knows that their life and success depends on their teammates. As a result, the work ethic of veterans is vastly stronger than the normal civilian work ethic. People who have served in the military are used to working long hours in non-traditional environments.
  • Training and Education: Today’s military veteran has been trained in nearly every occupation imaginable, with a strong emphasis on technology. Most of the training schools of the military that teach technology, leadership, sales, management, and operations surpass those available to civilians.

Click here to view the Legal Compliance Guide.

Tax Break Eligibility for Hiring Veterans

Businesses that hire eligible unemployed veterans can take advantage of a Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). (This credit is also available to certain tax-exempt organizations.) After recent changes, The Returning Heroes Tax Credit now provides incentives of up to $5,600 for hiring unemployed veterans, and the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit doubles the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities, to up to $9,600. Below are the amended and expanded definitions of the veteran group as recognized by the WOTC.

Qualified Long-term Unemployment
This is a credit for new hires that begin work on or after January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2019, during which the individual is employed no less than 27 consecutive weeks, and includes a period in which the individual was receiving unemployment compensation under State or Federal law. For WOTC-certified new hires working at least 120 hours, employers can claim 25% of the first year wages paid up to $6,000, for a maximum income tax credit of up to $1,500. For WOTC-certified new hires working 400 hours or more, employers can claim 40% of the first year wages up to $6,000, for a maximum income tax credit of up to $2,400.

Short-term Unemployment
A credit of 40% of the first $6,000 of wages (up to $2,400) for employers who hire veterans who have been in receipt of unemployment compensation for at least 4 weeks.

Long-term Unemployment
A credit of 40% of the first $14,000 of wages (up to $5,600) for employers who hire veterans who have been in receipt of unemployment compensation for longer than 6 months.

Veterans with Services-Connected Disabilities
Maintains the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans with service-connected disabilities hired within one year of being discharged from the military. The credit is 40% of the first $12,000 of wages (up to $4,800).

Long-Term Unemployed Veterans with Services-Connected Disabilities
A new credit of 40% of the first $24,000 of wages (up to $9,600) for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been in receipt of unemployment compensation for longer than 6 months. The credit can be as high as $9,600 per veteran for for-profit employers or up to $6,240 for tax-exempt organizations.

Click here for more information regarding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).