DDC has achieved the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence
Dover District Council has achieved the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence for actively supporting the armed forces community within the workplace.
To receive the award, organisations must demonstrate that they have supportive policies in place for veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and spouses and partners of those serving in the armed forces.
Recipients also 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.
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “We are delighted to have gained this Gold award for the commitment we have shown 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 received the silver award last year. Being able to go that one step further and achieve Gold is testament to the continued hard work, support and commitment of our council.”
Commenting on the announcement of the 2020 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards, 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.”
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. More information about the Armed Forces Covenant and how to get involved is at https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/
For more details on the scheme locally, see our Armed Forces Covenant pages
If you are a local employer and would like to know more information about the scheme please email covenant@dover.gov.uk
Notes to editors
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) was launched in 2014 by then Prime Minister David Cameron to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Defence Armed Forces Covenant and the full spectrum of Defence personnel. This includes the reserves, service leavers, wounded, injured and sick, cadets, and spouses.
To achieve the Gold Award, DDC had to meet a range of criteria including:
- sign the Armed Forces Covenant
- have attained the Silver Level
- proactively demonstrated 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
- demonstrate support to mobilisations of reserves
- be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results.
Posted on 30 July 2020