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Show Military Service Member FAQs

How does VA for Vets help Military Service Members?

VA for Vets was designed with Military Service Members in mind, providing the information they need to successfully transition between military and civilian responsibilities. The program offers deployment and reintegration guidance, one-on-one coaching services, a virtual collaboration space, and many more support resources for VA’s National Guard and Reserve employees. Visit the Military Service Member page to learn more.

What is coaching and how does it work?

VA for Vets provides access to personal coaches for VA’s National Guard and Reserve employees. A coach is a dedicated, single point-of-contact who can assist you throughout the deployment lifecycle. You can talk to your coach over the phone, via email or through a virtual collaboration workspace. Your coach will be on-point to support you through the entire deployment lifecycle, before you deploy and as you prepare to reintegrate back to the workplace. To begin working with a coach, please call 1-855-VA4VETS (1-855-824-8387, TTY: 1-855-824-8833) or complete the Request a Coach Form.

**I just received my orders to deploy. How can VA for Vets help me?**

Use the VA for Vets website to find vital information about key steps to help you prepare for deployment. You can access deployment checklists, tip sheets and guides; training resources; one-on-one coaching support; and a virtual collaboration space to interact with a coach, supervisor and HR professional.

What is the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) and how does it apply to me?

The Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) protects civilian job rights and benefits for all Military Service Members, including those who work for the federal government. The law ensures that you can answer the call to duty without sacrificing your employee status and entitlements. Click here to read about your rights under USERRA.

**How can I make suggestions to VA for Vets?**

VA for Vets was created for you, so we want to hear what you think of the program. You can submit feedback and suggestions on the Contact Us page.

Why are Military Service Members a focal point of this program?

VA learned that its Military Service Member employees needed more tools and resources to successfully transition between military and civilian roles. To provide enhanced support before, during and after deployments, VA created the VA for Vets program.

Show Supervisor FAQs

How does VA for Vets help supervisors?

VA for Vets helps supervisors foster an inclusive, supportive workplace for Military Service Members and their team members. The program was created to enable VA’s supervisors to more fully support employees called to military duty, while maximizing the performance of their department/organization. Use this website to find information about the supervisor's role in the deployment lifecycle and how you can help improve collaboration with HR professionals and Military Service Members. You can also request one-on-one coaching support for questions related to employees who may be eligible for deployment.

Why are supervisors a focal point of this program?

VA learned that supervisors of National Guard and Reserve members needed more centralized tools and resources to help those employees successfully deploy from and reintegrate into the workplace. VA for Vets was developed to foster an open dialogue between supervisors, Military Service Members and HR professionals, thereby increasing understanding and strengthening the VA workplace.

My employee has just notified me that he or she has received military orders. What should I do now?

You will need to set up a meeting with the employee and an HR professional to review pre-deployment actions. Review the VA for Vets website to find deployment support guides for step-by-step tips to prepare the employee and your staff. You should also consider contacting a coach if you have questions about deployment procedures. For additional information, review the Employer Support Tip Sheet for Supervisors.

How can I support my employee while he or she is deployed?

Make an effort to thank the employee and wish him or her well before deployment. Provide your contact information so that the employee can reach out, if appropriate. Forward office newsletters and other communications to the employee’s email address to help him or her stay in touch. Encourage his or her coworkers to do the same.

My employee has notified me that he or she plans to return from deployment. What should I do?

Refer to the Welcome Home Tip Sheet. Schedule a reintegration session with the returning employee and the same HR professional who provided pre-deployment guidance. If that HR professional is no longer available, identify a new liaison from HR to participate. Click here to see more information just for supervisors.

How can I welcome my employee back to the office after deployment?

The most important thing you can do is show your employee that he or she is a valued team member. Download the VA for Vets Welcome Home Tip Sheet for ideas on how to best ease the employee back into the workplace.

What are my responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA)?

You are responsible for being familiar and complying with USERRA’s rules and regulations. Click here to review the law.

How can I make suggestions to VA for Vets?

Supervisors are vital to the successful deployment, reintegration and retention of VA’s Military Service Members, so we welcome your input. You can submit feedback and comments on the Contact Us page.

Show HR Professional FAQs

Why are HR professionals a focal point of this program?

VA learned that the HR professionals, who serve VA’s National Guard and Reserve members, needed more centralized tools and resources to help those employees successfully deploy from and reintegrate to the workplace. VA for Vets was developed to foster an open dialogue between HR professionals, supervisors and Military Service Members, thereby increasing understanding and strengthening the VA workplace.

I have been notified that an employee has received military orders. What should be my first step?

Your first step should be to set up a counseling session with the employee and his or her supervisor to review roles and responsibilities. Explore the VA for Vets website to find deployment support guides with step-by-step tips that you can use to help prepare the employee and the supervisor. Click here for additional information specifically for HR professionals.

How can I support employees while they are deployed?

I have been notified that a deployed employee plans to return to work at VA. What should be my first steps?

You should schedule a counseling session with the employee and his or her supervisor when the employee returns to the workplace. Review the VA for Vets website to find deployment support guides for step-by-step tips to prepare the employee and your staff. You should also consider contacting a coach if you have questions about deployment procedures. For additional information, review the Employer Support Tip Sheet for HR Professionals.

How can I welcome employees back to VA?

The most important thing you can do is show your employee that he or she is a valued team member. For ideas on welcoming returning employees, coordinate with the supervisor to provide the VA for Vets Welcome Home Tip Sheet. Ensure your approach takes the Military Service Member’s personality and experiences on active duty into account.

What are my responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA)?

You are required to be familiar and comply with USERRA regulations as well as ensure that the employee’s supervisor is compliant. Click here to review the law.

**How can I make suggestions to VA for Vets?**

HR professionals are vital to the successful deployment, reintegration and retention of VA’s Military Service Members, so we want to hear from you. You can submit feedback and comments on the Contact Us page.

Show Coaching FAQs

What is a coach?

A coach is an advisor who provides direct one-on-one support for your deployment and reintegration needs. Your coach will be your partner and dedicated point of contact, answering your questions and providing continuous support before, during and after military service.

How can I contact a coach?

Connecting with your coach is easy. Please call 1-855-VA4VETS (1-855-824-8387, TTY: 1-855-824-8833) or complete the Request a Coach Form to begin working with a coach.

What are the hours of operation?

Coaches are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

What are the advantages of coaching?

Coaches act as your partner throughout the entire deployment lifecycle, helping you navigate your deployment- and reintegration-related career transitions. Your conversations are confidential. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, a coach is available to support your success.

What is virtual collaboration and how does it work?

The virtual collaboration workspace offers an online environment enabling you to meet with your coach, anytime and anywhere. In this highly immersive 3-D environment, you can review and edit documents together, whiteboard, watch videos and much more. It feels like you are actually sitting in a one-on-one meeting with your coach.

Where does the information I discuss with the coach go?

All coaching sessions will be held and updated in VA’s secure case management system.

Show Virtual Collaboration FAQs

What is the virtual collaboration workspace?

The virtual collaboration workspace is a secure, three-dimensional, online meeting where users can create, modify and share information at anytime from anywhere. In this interactive space, users customize avatars (computer-animated characters) to perform diverse work-related and social activities.

This highly immersive environment integrates voice over internet protocol (VoIP), live chat, webcam video and multiple applications―enabling meaningful and productive online interactions.

Who can access the space?

The virtual collaboration workspace is geared specifically for Military Service Members to use when communicating with their coaches, supervisors and HR professionals during deployments. Military Service Members can also invite supervisors and HR professionals to join the virtual conversation, either with or without a coach.

Why use the virtual collaboration workspace?

The virtual collaboration workspace helps Military Service Members stay connected to their VA organization while deployed. Military Service Members have the opportunity to interact in more ways and across different channels in this virtual world, enabling them to keep in touch from anywhere.

What can Military Service Members do in the workspace?

Working together in the virtual space, the user and coach can simultaneously review and edit documents, review training, explore websites, watch videos, and write or draw on whiteboards―all in real time. The virtual meetings can include the use of phones, live chats or “face-to-face” conversations via webcam.

How does it work?

The Military Service Member enters their personal room at anytime and invites attendees―such as a coach or supervisor―to join him or her in the space. In the room, a Military Service Member can:

Translate military skills into civilian competencies
Discuss project details with a supervisor
Touch base with an HR professional about civilian healthcare benefits
And much more

What are the benefits to working in a virtual space?

Virtual collaboration results in more engaging and productive conversations, enabling completion of real work product. By creating a live, interactive work environment online, deployed Military Service Members can efficiently complete professional and personal tasks and work toward achieving better vocational outcomes using technology ideally suited to online collaboration.

In sharing one online space, they get all the benefits of an in-person meeting, no matter where they are.

What does the virtual workspace look like?

The Military Service Member controls what his or her personal workspace looks like. Avatars can be designed to reflect the user’s preferred look and photos, logos and images can be posted throughout the room. Multiple display panels and a white board allow users to view and collaborate on multiple documents, spreadsheets, presentations, videos and websites simultaneously.

How many people can be in the room at one time?

Up to 10 people (and their avatars) can gather in a virtual workspace. For a larger group, like a team meeting, a coach can help set up an online conference room or auditorium.

How do I get started?

Click here to request a coach. The coach will help you create an account, issue your username and password and provide a brief tutorial of the tool’s functionality.

Can I save my work sessions and documents to review later?

Yes. Even when you leave the virtual space, the work sessions remain active. You can immediately access documents and previous sessions saved to the workspace upon resuming activity.

Do I always need a coach to be in the room?

No, you can enter your virtual space at any time. However, you do need to complete an initial orientation session with a coach.

I want to meet with my supervisor about an issue related to my job but I don’t want him to have access to my personal room. What should I do?

Share this request with your coach. He or she can set up a “neutral” meeting space outside of your personal room for you to meet with your supervisor.

What if I don’t have an internet connection?

Without an internet connection, you will not be able to use the virtual collaboration tool. You can still work with a coach over the phone. Request a coach here.

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