Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant
Our Silver Award demonstrates our support for the whole Armed Forces community
The British Chambers of Commerce is pleased to support the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and we are very proud to have been awarded Silver in the Armed Forces Covenant.
This recognition underscores our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, reflecting our dedication to fostering a culture that values the skills, experience, and resilience of those who serve or have served in the military, as well as their families.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we pledge to uphold key principles that ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly and with respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with such distinction. Achieving the Silver Award demonstrates that we not only support these principles, but actively work to implement them through practical measures, such as offering employment opportunities to veterans and reservists, and providing support to military families.
This recognition aligns with our broader mission to enhance the UK’s business environment by promoting inclusive and diverse workplaces. We are honoured to play a role in ensuring that the Armed Forces community is recognised and valued for their immense contributions to both national security and the economy.
In order to win a Silver award, organisations need to achieve the following points:
- The employer must have already stated their intent to be supportive by using the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) website to register at the Bronze level.
- The employer must proactively demonstrate that service personnel/the 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.
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme - Accredited Chambers
- Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
- Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Black Country Chamber of Commerce
- Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
- Cumbria Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ltd
- Doncaster Chamber of Commerce
- Dundee & Angus Chamber Of Commerce
- East Midlands Chamber of Commerce
- Essex Chambers of Commerce
- Fife Chamber of Commerce
- Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Group
- Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
- Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
- Inverness Chamber of Commerce
- North & Western Lancashire Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
- North East England Chamber Of Commerce
- Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Shropshire Chamber of Commerce
- Somerset Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ltd
- Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
- Surrey Chambers of Commerce
- Sussex Chamber of Commerce
- Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
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Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
The BCC is pleased to support the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and we are very proud to have been awarded Silver in the Armed Forces Covenant.
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