I. GENERAL
Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, sets forth certain requirements for public employers to accord
preferences, in appointment, retention and promotion, to certain veterans and spouses of veterans
who are Florida residents. The relevant portions of the law apply to “the state and its political
subdivisions”. Public utilities, state universities, school districts and special taxing districts are
subject to the requirements of Chapter 295
II. CATEGORIES OF PROTECTED INDIVIDUALS
Section 295.07, Florida Statutes, extends veterans’ preference to:
- A veteran with a serviceconnected
disability who is eligible for or receiving
compensation, disability retirement, or pension under public laws administered by the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
- The spouse of a veteran who cannot qualify for employment because of a total and
permanent serviceconnecteddisability, or the spouse of a veteran missing in action,
captured, or forcibly detained by a foreign power
- A veteran of any war who has served on active duty for one day or more during a
wartime period, excluding active duty for training, and who was discharged under
honorable conditions from the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
- The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a serviceconnected
disability.
- Receipt of any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is qualifying for veterans'
preference.
III. REQUIRED NOTICE BY EMPLOYERS
Public employers must give notice in all announcements and advertisements of vacancies, that
preference in appointment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses, and application forms
must inquire whether the applicant is claiming veterans’ preference, and whether the applicant
has claimed such a preference. The regulations provide that an applicant claiming preference is
responsible for providing required documentation at the time of making application, but also
state that the covered employer must inform applicants of the requirements for documentation.
IV. PREFERENCE REQUIRED AT EACH STEP
An eligible veteran is entitled to preference at each stage of the hiring process; however, the
preference is not absolute.
V. EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE WHEN A NUMERICALLY BASED SELECTION
PROCESS IS USED
- Employment preferences, where numerically based examinations are used as a device for
selections, consists of adding ten points to the score of the first category of applicants
(disabled veterans and spouses of disabled or missing veterans) and five points to the
score of other preferenceeligible applicants.
- The rules provide that where the requisite points (ten points to individuals in the first
category, and five points to other applicants) have been adjusted to test scores, the
names of all the preferenceeligible applicants shall be placed on a register or
employment list, beginning with those disabled veterans with disability ratings of 30
percent or more, and followed by all other preferenceeligible applicants in the order of
their augmented ratings.
- The regulations state that “appointments to positions will be made from the appropriate
register or employment list in the rank order of their augmented ratings.”
VI. PREFERENCE WHEN A NUMERICALLY BASED SELECTION PROCESS IS NOT
USED
Preference must be given to protected individuals provided such persons possess the minimum
qualifications necessary to the discharge of the duties involved. The rule defines “minimum
qualifications” to mean a “specification” of the kinds of experience, training, education and/or
licensure or certification that provides “appropriate jobrelated
evidence that an applicant
possesses the minimum required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to the discharge of the
duties involved.”
VII. OTHER PROVISIONS REGARDING PREFERENCE
- Single claim to preference- The rules incorporate the concept that an eligible veteran or spouse has a single claim to preference, exercisable only once. A veteran’s employment preference expires once the veteran has applied and been employed by the agency or any political subdivision of the
state.
- Preference in layoffs- Where a layoff is necessitated in a covered position, similar preferences must be given to the covered employee in the retention process.
- Preference in reinstatement or reemployment- When an employee in a covered position leaves employment for the purpose of serving in the armed forces, he or she is entitled to reinstatement or reemployment upon release or discharge from active military service.
- Promotion preference- Promotion preference applies only to a veteran’s first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.
VIII. EXEMPT POSITIONS
Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, provides for a preference in employment for certain classes of
covered positions. However, section ch. 9833, s. 2, Laws of Fla., exempts from the law
positions that are exempt from the state career service system under Section 110.205 (2), Florida
Statutes. The 2001 session of the Florida Legislature enacted a significant change to the law concerning exempt positions for veteran's preference at the political subdivision level. Governor Bush signed the bill and the change became effective July 1, 2001. Senate Bill 1344 eliminates the exemption for some of the previously exempted positions. As of the effective date of the law, city managers, county managers, and management and policymaking positions of political subdivisions of the state are now eligible for preference in appointment and retention as provided in s. 295.07(1).
IIX. ENFORCEMENT
If an applicant claiming veterans’ preference for a vacant position is not selected, he/she may file
a complaint with the
Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA)
Mary Grizzle Building, Suite 311K
11351 Ulmerton Road
Largo, Fl 337781630.
A complaint must be filed within twentyone
days of the applicant receiving notice of the hiring
decision made by the employing agency or within three months of the date the application is
filed with the employer if no notice is given. The enforcement mechanism established by the
regulations provide for an initial investigation by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs,
followed by an evidentiary proceeding before the Public Employees Relations Commission if the
matter cannot be earlier resolved.
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