NEWS
February 26th 2016
Employer Engagement update February 2016
SaBRE, the MOD’s marketing and communications campaign was set up in 2002 to assist in developing a good relationship between Reservists and their employers.
It has provided information and advice about the employment of Reservists including details of Reservists’ training obligations, employers’ legal rights and responsibilities and the potential benefits of employing Reservists.
Defence now has a broader employer engagement agenda; relating to Reservists, Service leavers, military spouses and cadet force adult volunteers and to reflect this, the SaBRE brand has been discontinued. This does not affect the provision of support, advice and guidance to employers, Reservists and Reserve units which continues under the Defence brand.
In keeping with this, information about the Reserve Forces and matters relating to the employment of Defence personnel, previously held on the SaBRE website, has been migrated to the defence relationship management section of the government website
The Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The Covenant is a national responsibility involving government, local authorities, businesses and charities.
Businesses and charities may sign the Armed Forces Covenant (formerly known as the Corporate Covenant) to confirm publicly that they recognise the value that serving personnel, Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our country. The Covenant encourages them to develop a relationship with members of the Armed Forces community who work in their business or access their products or services.
Over 860 organisations around the UK have now signed the Covenant and 70 are in the East Midlands; those who have signed since our previous newsletter are:
RPS Planning & Development (Newark) Movements UK Corp Ltd Hydro Systems UK Ltd
Metcalf Commercial Decorators Ltd Masons Chartered Surveyors TMS Support Solutions Ltd
Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service John A Stephens Ltd Ashfield Homes Ltd
Traffic Labour Supplies (TLS) Ltd Lindum Group Ltd CE Security
E H Thorne (Beehives) Limited Forces Cars Direct Ltd A Foot Above Ltd
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Information on the Covenant and a list of UK employers who have signed are on the covenant website.
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme recognises and rewards UK employers for their support to Defence personnel. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their support with the Armed Forces Covenant. In 2015, awards received by East Midlands employers were 18 x Bronze, 11 x Silver and 1 x Gold.
We congratulate M-EC Consulting Development Engineers, of Ibstock Leicestershire, who were the only SME in the UK to receive a Gold award in 2015.
To see a list of all employers who have received awards or to register for a Bronze award, go to the employer recognition scheme website.
For information or queries on any Defence personnel matter, contact:
John Wilson OBE DL: Regional Employer Engagement Director
Email: em-empsp@rfca.mod.uk; Tele: 0115 924 8627
