Employing a Service Spouse or Partner – Information for Employers
Research shows that Royal Navy and Royal Marines spouses/partners represent an untapped pool of skilled labour.
However, a study by Barclays also shows that almost 40% of Service spouses and partners believe that having their other half in the Armed Services has prevented them from being offered a job interview. We have put together some facts, figures and real life examples of how employing a Service spouse or partner can benefit your organisation.
1. Sharing good practice
Military Network
Many organisations have set up a network for those staff members that have a connections to the Military community. This provides support within the workplace and also gives the organisation the opportunity to raise new ideas and suggest possible future projects that are specific to the Military community.
Internal Moves Policy
Referencing a Military spouse/partner within the policy reassures your staff member that you are supportive of internal moves due to their serving partner’s Military assignments.
Culture
Each member of staff has different family needs at different times. The greatest support will come from creating a culture where everyone is treated as an individual and these needs can be discussed open and honestly with a view to finding a solution that works for both the individual and the organisation.
Employment Workshops
The Naval Families Federation has been approached by a number of organisations wishing to facilitate employment workshops for Service spouses/partners. Barclays Bank, for example, have run a ‘skills’ workshop for Royal Navy and Royal Marines partners and spouses in the summer of 2018. We have continued to work together to deliver the Barclays Military Spouses Employment Programme in Helensburgh since.
2. Forces Families Jobs
Forces Families Jobs is a Tri-Service platform to enable family members of serving personnel to have a ‘one stop shop’ where they can apply for jobs directly with employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant as well as find signposting to other career and training opportunities.
How can FFJ benefit your organisation?
As an employer, you can:
- Advertise your jobs to this audience free of charge.
- Search our candidate database and download candidate CVs free of charge.
- Fulfil your commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) and progress through the Employment Recognition Scheme (ERS) by demonstrating your commitment to Service spouses/partners.
- Have your own company profile where you can articulate your specific commitments to the AFC and your ERS level.
- This is not a paid for service but is provided free to those who have signed the AFC.
Success stories
- From our Homeport magazine (click to read):
Natalie’s story (Autumn 2021, p.9)
- Visit FFJ’s website for more success stories.
Further information
- Listen to this podcast and find out more about how this platform can benefit employers.
- Visit ForcesFamiliesJobs.co.uk to get started.
- Please contact help@forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk if you have any questions/ require further assistance.
3. Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge to acknowledge and understand those who serve/ have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, that they should be treated with fairness and respect. The Armed Forces Covenant can be signed by businesses of all sizes, charitable organisations, local authorities, public sector organisations and single services. Employers can choose specific promises or pledges to support their employees within the Armed Forces community. For example, employers can pledge to promote the fact that they are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.
A report launched by The Forces in Mind Trust, titled ‘Benefit not Burden’, calls for increased awareness around the benefits to businesses, public and voluntary sector organisations in the UK in signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Defence Relationship Management has also produced a video to explain why this partnership is good for businesses and the Armed Forces community.
Defence – Employers Recognition Scheme (ERS)
The ERS 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.
In order to achieve the Gold status, employers should register for the Forces Families Jobs portal where possible – see section 2 for more information on setting up your profile.
