Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc., Retaliation, Florida 2023

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Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. Agrees to Pay $80,000 to Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Garrett Woodard

Florida-based Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. (WREC) has agreed to pay $80,000 to Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Garrett Woodard after it was found to have terminated him in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

The US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, in partnership with the Civil Rights Division, investigated the matter after WREC terminated Woodard upon his return from military service. Woodard has served in the Florida Army National Guard with distinction for over 21 years and has been called up to active duty on multiple occasions.

According to the complaint filed with the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), WREC terminated Woodard on the day he reported back to work after his deployment. Woodard filed a complaint with VETS alleging that WREC terminated him on the basis of his military service obligations in violation of USERRA.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, WREC has agreed to pay Woodard back pay and other damages in the amount of $80,000. The settlement agreement further requires WREC to comply with all of the provisions of USERRA to prevent any further incidents of discrimination, retaliation or interference with a servicemember’s rights under USERRA from occurring in the future.

USERRA protects the rights of uniformed servicemembers to retain their civilian employment following absences due to military service obligations and provides that servicemembers shall not be discriminated against because of their military obligations. The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA.

Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. is a Florida-based electric cooperative. The company has agreed to pay $80,000 to Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Garrett Woodard as part of a settlement agreement. The settlement requires WREC to comply with all of the provisions of USERRA to prevent any further incidents of discrimination, retaliation or interference with a servicemember’s rights under USERRA from occurring in the future.

This matter was handled by Deputy Civil Chief Yohance Pettis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, along with Senior Trial Attorney Brian McEntire of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section.