US sues Google after veteran allegedly lost accounts to deployment

USERRA requires employers to restore returning servicemembers to the role they would have held had they never left – or to one with comparable seniority, responsibilities, and pay. The DOJ’s complaint argues that by stripping the worker of his accounts and leaving him without equivalent duties, Google fell well short of that standard.

The lawsuit – brought by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the DOJ Civil Rights Division – seeks reinstatement to a comparable account management role, lost wages and benefits, and potentially liquidated damages if the court finds Google’s non-compliance was willful. It also asks the court to order Google to implement USERRA training and compliance procedures across the company.

Google, a unit of Alphabet, told Reuters it disputes the claims. A company spokesperson said Google “takes compliance with employment laws, including USERRA, seriously and investigates allegations of workplace wrongdoing.”

For HR teams, the case puts a fine point on what USERRA actually demands: not just the same title and salary, but the same responsibilities and career trajectory. Restoring the badge without the brief is not enough – and getting it wrong can bring the federal government to your door.

The allegations have not been tested, and no court has made any findings or rulings in the matter.