As part 4Secure’s pledge to encourage employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same, we signed up to support The Armed Forces Covenant back in October 2021.
4Secure are now proud to announce that we have been awarded a bronze certificate as part of the Employment Recognition Scheme.
We promote being armed forces-friendly and are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
4Secure will continue to strive in supporting our armed forces community and are now currently also working towards our silver certificate – watch this space!
What is the Armed Forces Covenant?
An Enduring Covenant Between The People of the United Kingdom Her Majesty’s Government – and – All those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown And their Families.
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families.
They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment. Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Principles of the Armed Forces Covenant
4Secure will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
– No member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen
– In some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Demonstrating our Commitment
We recognise the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business and to our country. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by:
– Promoting the Armed Forces: promoting the fact that we are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation,
to our staff, customers, suppliers, contractors and wider public.
– Veterans: supporting the employment of veterans, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process; working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to support the employment of Service leavers;
– Service Spouses & Partners: supporting the employment of Service spouses and partners;
partnering with the Forces Families Jobs Forum; and providing flexibility in granting leave for Service
spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment.
– Reserves: supporting our employees who are members of the Reserve Forces; granting additional paid/unpaid leave for annual Reserve Forces training; supporting any mobilisations and deployment; actively encouraging members of staff to become Reservists;
– Cadet Organisations: supporting our employees who are volunteer leaders in military cadet organisations, granting additional leave to attend annual training camps and courses; actively encouraging members of staff to become volunteer leaders in cadet organisations; supporting local military cadet units; recognising the benefits of employing cadets/ex-cadets within the workforce.
– National Events: supporting Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal Day and Remembrance
activities;
– Armed Forces Charities: supporting Armed Forces charities with fundraising and supporting staff
who volunteer to assist;
What is the Armed Forces Covenant?
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families.
They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment. Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
What can you do to support the Armed Forces Covenant?
Anyone can get involved in the Armed Forces Covenant – whether you publicly support the Armed Forces Community at an event, or, like us can be a forces friendly employer.
Find out how you can support the armed forces community, by clicking the button below:
