In Focus: Latest employer support newsThis article is featured in the latest In Focus.
A report was released today that looks at the UK Reserve Forces and how they should be used, which could spell changes for employers.
The report, Future Reserves 2020 Study (FR20), recommends an overall increase in the number of Reservists and the ways they will be used. The study acknowledges that the support Reservists receive from their employers will be crucial in implementing these changes.
The study also recommends that legislation is reviewed to make sure that both employers and Reservists continue to be supported under the new structure, as they are now. Current legislation, the Reserve Forces Act 96 (RFA96) and the Safeguard of Employment Act 1985 (SOE85), imposes limits on when and how Reservists can be mobilised, which is designed to protect both employer and Reservist.
Additional recommendations from the study which may affect employers include:
- More use of transferrable civilian specialist skills in areas such as cyber operations
- More flexible methods of Reservist training, such as e-training and simulation
- New initiatives to recognise and thank employers for their support
- Partnerships with employers to develop mutually beneficial career and training opportunities that will benefit Defence, Reservists and employers
- Encourage employers to support Reservists as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives
The report also recommends more work is done to highlight the benefits of Reservist training to employers. According to SaBRE research, an employer would have to purchase over £8,000 of commercial training to gain the same amount of development as an average Reservist’s military training provides in a year. The research relates only to the skills that are relevant to the civilian workplace.
The FR20 study will now be reviewed by the MOD to decide how to implement the recommendations. As part of its role to support the employers of Britain’s Reservists, SaBRE will be conducting research which will be fed back to the MOD.
Tim Corry, SaBRE Campaign Director, comments:
The MOD recognises the vital role that employers play in supporting their Reservist employees. With a much larger and more flexible Reserve Force as recommended by the report, employer support for Reservists will be more important than ever.
There are many exciting initiatives recommended in the report, and we are looking forward to canvassing the views of employers on the proposals."
Findings of the Future Reserves 2020 study
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