I am very proud to say that The HR Crowd has signed the Armed Forces Covenant committing to support those and their families who have served the nation.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge of mutual responsibility and support between the UK Government, businesses and members of the armed forces community. It contains two main commitments: the first is to treat all members of the armed forces community fairly and no less favourably than other citizens; the second is to make sure businesses help support the employment rights of those transitioning from the forces into civilian life.
As a signatory, organisations also commit to help make sure members of the armed forces community have access to the same products, services and special offers that are available to the general public.
Being in Lincolnshire we are surrounded by a number of large military bases and as such a large part of the local community are service personnel. I have seen the valuable contribution of veterans, reservists, and cadets to businesses through my previous career and take great pride in receiving this award. I see this as the beginning chapter in our ongoing development as a business, one that aims to foster diversity across its entire workforce, develop our people and add real value to what we do.
Through this pledge we recognise the benefits from the wide range of unique skills and experiences that reservists and veterans bring to any organisation. We will also be educating our customers about the benefits and practicalities of employing Reservists and Cadets.
To further our support we hope to provide practical help to veterans, their spouses and partners by tailoring their CVs and giving telephone/video interview practice to ensure they have opportunities to thrive in a civilian working environment.
As a signatory, organisations also commit to help make sure members of the armed forces community have access to the same products, services and special offers that are available to the general public. This commitment can be demonstrated in a variety of ways; for instance, some employers might provide discounted vehicle insurance or flexible working habits for veterans who need extra time to take care of their health.
By becoming a forces friendly employer you not only benefit from the wide range of unique skills and experiences that reservists and veterans can bring to your organisation, it can also help diversify the talent in your workforce. You can find out more about being a forces friendly employer here: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/support-and-advice/businesses/