Business Benefits​

Business Networking and Best Practice Sharing

The military community is family oriented and members work hard to support both the organisation in which they work and colleagues. By engaging with the military, civilian organisations have the opportunity to network closely with this group of talented individuals, as well as with other businesses which share the desire to support the community.

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support Defence and inspire others to do the same. Employers engaging with the military and supporting their community are recognised with a high prestige award. This enables them to join a number of networking groups which include other supportive businesses as well as members of the military community, with best practice sharing opportunities.

Award recipients may be invited to attend high profile events such as Lord-Lieutenant Awards Ceremonies, Sandhurst Leadership Challenge, or prestigious receptions aboard Naval ships.

Personal Development for Employees

There are over 200 different roles available to Armed Forces Reserves members across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF. The roles available have huge variety, and relate to many skilled and technical areas which relate to civilian organisations including engineering, construction, medical, logistics, intelligence and IT. Individuals employed as a Reservist have the opportunity for an additional career which will run alongside their full time employment at a company.  This will allow them to develop existing or new skills to a very high standard at no direct cost to the company other than potentially releasing the individual for training.

The wider development areas across all roles from which companies will quickly see the benefit range from leadership and organisational skills, communication, planning and self-confidence.  Business working with their employees and encouraging them to develop in these areas benefit from the potential progression opportunities they are able to offer the individuals where the positive effect of this development is seen relating to their performance within their current role. 

The military community are also highly skilled at developing adaptability and resilience amongst employees, which provide tangible benefits to businesses in times of need, as demonstrated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

For further details of how a business might benefit from having employees within the Reserve Forces or Adult Cadet Forces, contact the RIFT Military Engagement Team.

Employee Motivation and Retention

Many companies may not be aware that they have employees who are current members of the Armed Forces Reserves, or Adult Cadet Force Volunteers. Some of the reasons for not being aware include concerns from employees that this commitment might not be looked upon favourably by their employer, or the activities seen as relevant to their careers.

By openly declaring their support for the military community to employees within an HR policy, and including measures of support for those who wish to become involved with the Reserves or Adult Cadet Forces, companies benefit from greater awareness of the additional skills and experience being cultivated within the military. This enables businesses to work with those individuals and find opportunities to put the enhanced skills to optimum use within the business.

Creating and supporting opportunities for employees who wish to join the Reserves or Adult Cadet Forces enables businesses to address some of the main reported reasons within exit surveys relating to why employees leave their jobs. These include being bored with their role, and having a desire for a new challenge. Depending on the size and structure of the company, addressing these issues can prove a major challenge in itself. Hence, encouraging employees to engage with the military has the benefit for many of enabling them to satisfy their “itch” without feeling the need to look for alternative employment. Employees are also motivated further when businesses actively encourage the personal development offered via the military community, and seek to explore potential progression opportunities when the benefits are seen in terms of enhanced performance.

Employees also find it incredibly motivating and inspiring to support good causes, such as military charities. Since becoming a sponsor for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in 2014, RIFT employees have regularly engaged in fund raising on behalf of the charity, ranging from Big Curry fund raising events to individual fund raising by many members of the team.