NEW CHANGES TO THE LAW
Effective November 7, the law will change as follows:
Veterans Day: Employers must now grant leave to veterans, if requested, to observe Veterans Day, regardless of whether they participate in a Veterans Day celebration.
Memorial Day: The law has not changed with respect to Memorial Day. Employers must still grant leave to veterans, if requested, for Memorial Day to participate in an exercise, parade, or service in their community.
No Paid Leave: Employers, regardless of their size, are not required to pay for leave for Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Thus, employers with 50 or more employees will no longer be required to pay veterans for leave on Veterans Day. Of course, employers can choose to pay for leave on Veterans Day or Memorial Day.
Exception: Employees are not required to grant leave for Veterans Day or Memorial Day for employees who “are essential and critical to the public health or safety and determined to be essential to the safety and security of such an employee’s employer or the property of the employer.”

WHAT IT MEANS FOR EMPLOYERS
The BRAVE Act will take effect in time for Veterans Day, which will be observed on November 12, 2018. Employers will be required to grant leave to veterans on Veterans Day this year, if requested, but it need not be paid under the law.