Dover District Council is welcoming news that we have achieved the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence for actively supporting the armed forces community within our workplace.
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire other to do the same. The scheme allocates awards for organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
To achieve the silver award, DDC had to meet a range of criteria, including: sign the Armed Forces Covenant; attain the bronze level; proactively demonstrate that service personnel/armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of our recruiting and selection processes; employ at least one individual from the armed forces community category; actively ensure that our workforce is aware of our positive policies; and demonstrate support to mobilisations of reserves.
Cllr Keith Morris, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “We are delighted to have gained this silver award for our commitment to our armed forces communities. Dover District is steeped in military heritage, and is proud of its connections with the armed forces. We are committed to the Armed Forces Covenant, and this award is recognition of all our hard work, and we are now looking forward to working towards the gold award.”
Commenting on the announcement of the 2019 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards, Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace said: “These awards recognise the outstanding support for our armed forces from employers across Britain and I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one. Regardless of size, location or sector, employing ex-forces personnel is good for business and this year we have doubled the number of awards in recognition of the fantastic support they give.”
For more information on the Employer Recognition Scheme, please see the GOV.UK website, or for more details on the Armed Forces Covenant locally, see our Armed Forces Covenant pages, or email communitycovenant@dover.gov.uk
Posted on 27 August 2019