PHOENIX (AP) - The U.S. Justice Department says it has reached a $25,000 settlement with a health care company in metro Phoenix accused violating a law that safeguards the civilian jobs of people called away for military service.
The federal agency said Monday that the Native American Community Health Center resolved a complaint in which its former medical director, Mario Islas, alleged his service as a Naval reservist was a motivating factor in the company’s decision not to renew his employment contract in 2016.
The complaint alleged the company decided not to renew his contract after he informed the company that he was attending military training and would be leaving for an overseas deployment in March 2016 and return to his job in early 2017.
The Justice Department says the company agreed to pay $25,000 to Islas for lost wages and benefits and to train its managers on the rights of service members.
The center describes itself on its website as a provider of medical, dental, behavioral and other types of care for Native Americans and others in metro Phoenix.
A phone call requesting comment from the company wasn’t immediately returned Monday afternoon.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.