1000s of organisations in the UK want to give back to those that have served for our country by offering support and opportunities to them and their families. The Armed Forces Covenant was created to allow organisations in the UK to showcase the support that they offer.
WHAT IS THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT?
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge from the government – and any organisation that signs it – to support Service personnel, veterans and their families. Established in 2000, it aims to give back to those that have served our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant represents a promise that those who serve or have served, and their families, are fairly treated. The Armed Forces Covenant brings together councils and organisations including businesses and charities who are proud to support and help members of the Armed Forces Community.
Though each organisation that signs the Armed Forces Covenant can offer support in a way that suits situation and capacity, each pledge must include a core statement of commitment that includes the following two principles:
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No member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen
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In some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.
Further support to the community is not mandatory but is encouraged. This support includes but is not limited to:
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Promotion of the fact that you are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation
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Support the employment of veterans and service leavers
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Offer flexibility in leave for service spouses and partners before, during and after deployment
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Support for reservist employees - including allowing leave for training and deployment
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Offering discounts to members of the armed forces community.
WHO DOES THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT SUPPORT?
The Armed Forces Covenant helps members of the Armed Forces community. Though it’s primary focus is to enable employment and military career transition support, it also covers areas including education and family wellbeing, housing, access to healthcare, financial assistance and discounted services.
The covenant enables businesses to publically pledge their support for the Armed Forces community. Each organisation is able to choose whether their employment support extends to veterans, reservists, service spouses and partners or cadet units. Most organisations pledge to support the Armed Forces community in its entirety, however, not every organisation does or can. You can check individual organisations’ Armed Forces Covenant pledges if you want to double check who they support and in what capacity.
HOW DOES THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT SUPPORT JOBSEEKERS?
Bridging the gap between employers and jobseekers within the Armed Forces Community, the Armed Forces Covenant provides a platform whereby individuals can locate Forces-friendly employers and find out what help and support they offer.
The Armed Forces Covenant works to ensure members of the Armed Forces community have the right support in place to enable them to secure – and be treated fairly – in civvy employment. This support ranges from programmes to smooth military career transitions to special policies around extra leave and flexibility at work for reservists and military spouses.
WHY SHOULD MY ORGANISATION SIGN UP TO THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT?
There are over six million members of the Armed Forces community in the UK alone. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant and pledging your support for the community your company could benefit from attracting excellent candidates – including veterans, reservists and military partners/spouses – from this rich and varied talent pool.
HOW DO I SIGN UP TO THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT AS A FORCES-FRIENDLY ORGANISATION?
Signing the covenant is easy. Any organisation, business or charity of any size can sign the Armed Forces Covenant as long as you’re willing to support the Armed Forces community. Employers can choose specific pledges to suit their organisation’s needs and capabilities.
If your organisation already supports the Armed Forces community get in touch to be listed in our directory of Forces-friendly employers.