Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce awarded Silver

Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce have this week received the prestigious Silver Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Silver award holders must

• have signed the Armed Forces Covenant

•the employer must have already stated their intent to be supportive by using the ERS website to register at the Bronze level

•the employer must proactively demonstrate that service personnel/armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes

•employers must employ at least one individual from the armed forces community category that the nomination emphasises. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must employ at least one Reservist

•the employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive HR policy on Reserves

•within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place. They must demonstrate support to training by providing at least 5 days’ additional unpaid/paid leave (wherever possible not to Reservist employees’ financial disadvantage)

•the employer must not have been the subject of any negative PR or media activity

Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce signed the Armed Forces Covenant in February 2018 and in doing so made a commitment to support the country's servicemen and women wherever and however they can, and to ensure no member of the Armed Forces should suffer any disadvantage as a result of their service.

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.”

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said:

“Veterans make a huge contribution to businesses across the country and it’s fantastic to see a record breaking number of organisations recognised for their support.

“We’re working closely with businesses to help them further understand the huge value that veterans, reservists and military spouses can bring to their organisation.”

Alison Henderson, Chief Executive Officer at Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce said:

“We’re delighted to have achieved the Silver Award. We’ve worked hard to support the Armed Forces locally and connect them to employers in the region, to better improve awareness of employing veterans, service leavers and reserves. We actively encourage businesses to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. Having held our first ever ChamberFORCE Business Stretch event at Slessor Gardens this year to promote closer engagement between businesses and the armed forces, which helped our teams build leadership skills, I’m very proud that we have been awarded this level of recognition.”