A research unit at Portland State University has received a $5 million grant to study how supervisors can help military veterans reintegrate in the workplace. Professor Leslie Hammer says there’s very little research on the subject. The goal is to come up with training protocols.

Portland State University

Professor Leslie Hammer has studied work-life balance in several fields. Her new research will focus on specific interactions between returning vets and supervisors.

Hammer says her team will be “teaching supervisors about some of the laws that they’re required to rehire the returning veteran. Some of it is technical training. Some of it has to do with training supervisors with what it means to be supportive.”

If veterans need time off for doctors’ appointments, or to grapple with anxiety, Hammer says supervisors have ways to accommodate them.

The Center for Work-Family Stress, Safety and Health study will follow 500 pairs of vets and their bosses.

One phase of the study will also look into how families interact when veterans go back to work.

This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.