What sets Forces Families Jobs apart from other employment sites? Well, every single employer and training provider that’s registered has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, meaning they’ve made a commitment to be forces family friendly.
You’ll see that many companies have also achieved Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) awards, stamped on their FFJ profiles, which shows that they take positive action to support the military community in their workforce. Natalie Haynes (main photo), from Defence Relationship Management, explains: “The ERS encourages employers that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to the armed forces community, and align their values with the Covenant. There are eligibility criteria for each level.”
So how do Gold award winners help military families when they’re looking for employment? Natalie says: “Any company that’s been awarded Gold has demonstrated that they use FFJ to recruit members of forces families. Many Gold ERS holders also have supportive HR practices such as armed forces networks, recruitment insight days for the military, or guaranteed interview schemes.”
The Covenant represents a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. Find out more at armedforcescovenant.gov.uk
Pointing the right way
Sarah Tott
Compass Group UK & Ireland has introduced a new policy to support employees who are service spouses.
The food and support services firm has committed to:
- Providing an additional day of paid leave to support pre- or post-deployments of three months or longer.
- Endeavouring to redeploy military spouses to an alternative role internally on notification of a posting. This has previously been done ad hoc but will now be required across the UK business.
- Recognise and celebrate military spouses on its annual Spouses’ Day through different events.
Army wife Sarah Tott has been with Compass for five years. She says: “When I heard about the policy I thought it was amazing. I’ve already benefitted from the company’s support in redeploying spouses to alternative roles on postings, so it’s great this is now being formalised.”
Camilla Howard, chair of the company’s Armed Forces committee, adds: “There are so many spouses in our business who will benefit from the extra time given to them to be with their loved ones either pre- or post-deployment.
“As an RAF veteran and an army spouse myself, I know the challenges that come with being a military family and juggling your own career. This policy should help provide reassurance to colleagues that they’re able to have open discussions about new postings, so we are able to keep employees within the Compass family.”
Barclays
Bank on support
Barclays has been recognised as a Gold ERS award holder on multiple occasions. Paula Molyneux, Barclays AFTER Programme Manager, says: “We have worked with the military community for more than 12 years and to have our contribution recognised, specifically for our work with military spouses and partners, means a lot.”
Through its Military and Veterans Outreach programmes, Barclays helps service leavers, veterans, military spouses and partners to improve their employability skills and find the right job.
“We have committed to formally recognising military spouses as a stand-alone Diversity & Inclusion cohort,” adds Paula.
“Anyone applying for a position at Barclays can now self-identify on our HR system as a veteran or military spouse/partner – or both.”
Abigail Nightingale
Abigail Nightingale – Client Service Executive: Military spouse Abigail discovered that Barclays could offer her the support she needed to build an exciting new career. “I saw an advert for the Barclays Military Spousal Programme – and that’s when my life changed. I discovered that Barclays not only help military spouses find meaningful jobs, they actively encourage us to apply for roles with the bank.”