10 of London’s employers have had the MOD’s top employer award revalidated
These awards recognise the outstanding support for our armed forces people from employers across London. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) acknowledges those organisations which actively demonstrate support to the armed forces community.
Going for Gold
Two organisations across Greater London have successfully revalidated their ERS Gold Award and nine their Silver award for outstanding support towards the armed forces community.
Representing the highest badge of honour, ERS Gold Awards are awarded to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans and their families and advocate for defence people.
To win an award, organisations must provide at least ten extra paid days leave for Reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, Reserves, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
Organisations must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Peter Germain, chief executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Greater London, said:
“I would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the Defence community during some challenging times.
“The vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.”
Silver Success
A further nine London-based companies have successfully revalidated their Silver ERS award.
To gain this award companies must show tangible evidence of their proactive support of service personnel/armed forces community, demonstrating that neither is unfairly disadvantaged as part of the organisation’s recruiting and selection processes.
They must also actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence personnel and the employer must have demonstrated support for reservist callouts or “mobilisations” or have a framework in place, and by providing at least five days’ additional special leave for reservist training.
The nominations were considered by a selection board at the national level for Gold and the regional level for Silver.
11 of the organisations were successful, a list of which can be found below.
Revalidations
| Gold Revalidations | 1. London Metropolitan Police 2. Transport For London (TFL) |
Silver Revalidations | 1. American Express Services Europe 2. Aviva Plc 3. Fieri Leadership 4. G4S 5. Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust 6. London Borough of Hillingdon 7. Proelium Law 8. Savills 9. SunMark |
ERS
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.
For a full list of Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme