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To achieve gold, organisations must demonstrate that they provide ten extra paid days leave for Reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for Veterans,Reserves, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Spouses and Partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
They also had to advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and to engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence People and Veterans said:
The breadth and diversity of the winners this year shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to grow no matter the sector, company size or location. I am grateful for the positive attitude and flexible policies these organisations have adopted towards the defence community, which is testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation.
I am delighted that so many companies are supporting our people and that, through this scheme, we can give them the public recognition they deserve.
Kevin Holden, Assistant SHEQ Director and Chair of Mears Armed Forces Working Group said:
“We are delighted to have received Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This award is testament to our continued commitment to the armed forces community, whether its supporting reservist activity, providing a guaranteed interview scheme for ex and current service personnel and their partners, or providing free on the job training to support current service personnel who are moving back into civvy street.
Mears recognises the valuable contribution which service personnel and their partners bring and by providing a guaranteed interview scheme we are helping to bring security to the lives of a group of people, who have put theirs on the line for us as part of their job.
