New research reveals the 88 per cent of employers won’t discriminate against Reservist employees.
Despite more than 10,000 Reservists (25 per cent of the total number in the UK) being mobilised for operations in Iraq, 85 per cent of employers say their attitude towards employing a Reservist is unchanged.
In fact, one in 10 employers now feels more supportive towards employing Reservists because they are more aware of the role played by the Reserve Forces.
The survey, carried out among HR directors and managers for the Ministry of Defence campaign, SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers), shows strong support for members of the Reserve Forces among employers.
Almost nine out of 10 (88 per cent) employers stated they would not discriminate against Reservists when recruiting a new member of staff – 70 per cent would not discriminate and 18 per cent would actually tend to discriminate in their favour.
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Of those employers more likely to employ Reservists, most cited the key reasons as a positive ‘can do’ attitude and being a good team player (76 per cent), as well as the additional useful skills they bring to the job (7 per cent). Seven in 10 also expressed a belief that the Reserve Forces deserved support as a matter of principle.
Tim Corry, campaign director, SaBRE said: “It is very encouraging to see that employers’ attitudes towards Reservists are so positive. The support of employers is vital to the Reserve Forces in fulfilling their role for the nation. This is true during regular service and particularly during mobilisation. We are incredibly grateful for the support given to Reservists by their employers.”
