Muskegon County Veterans' Hiring Preference and Military Leave

The county's Personnel Rules carry three veteran provisions. Hiring preference, Rule 4. "The County has adopted a Veterans' Hiring Policy that applies to all County departments. Preference in appointment or employment must be given to an eligible veteran." An eligible veteran is one released from active military duty, with 90 or more calendar days of active duty service, honorably discharged, and a Michigan resident for at least two years. The preference applies only to the initial appointment - promotions and transfers are on merit - and the veteran must still meet the minimum qualifications and every other condition of appointment. Military leave, Rule 28. The county complies with state and federal law on paid military leave; service beyond accrued leave becomes Military Leave Without Pay, ending on return to work or the end of the USERRA reporting period. An employee on active duty for more than 30 days may keep the county health plans for up to 24 months, paying 102% of the premium after the first 30 days. On return the member is entitled to the pre-service rate adjusted by merit and general increases; accrued vacation and personal leave may be used but need not be; a probationary employee returns to the same probationary footing; and USERRA reemployment rights apply throughout. Military funerals, Rule 22, section V. "One day with pay may be granted to attend a military funeral in which the employee is an official participant."