Employer support

Reservists in all three Services must balance their life as a sailor, soldier or airman with their family and their employment. This is not easy and requires considerable understanding by all involved. To enhance the understanding of employers and to gain and retain their support for the Reservist in training and on operations, there is an Employer Support structure.

Employer Support in Reserve Units

Reservists of all three Services are part of their individual unit and are administered by the unit commanders and staff. Units know the employers of their Reservists and, by law, employers are informed if their employee is in the Reserves. The relationship between employer and Reservist is very important if the Reservist is to get the best from training and if the employer is to get the best from the employee.  That relationship is a personal one but it is enhanced by the provision of information and advice to employers.

SaBRE

SaBRE (Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers) is an organisation created by the Ministry of Defence to advise UK employers on the employment of Reservists. To date we have helped over 40,000 employers to have a better understanding of the advantages and implications of employing Reservists.

SaBRE exists solely to help employers and Reservists understand and support each other. SaBRE provides information and advice on matters relating to the employment of Reservists and mobilisation, including financial assistance for employers. SaBRE can also help companies formulate a code of practice covering all the considerations surrounding Reservist employment to ensure that both line managers and Reservists are aware of and understand company policy and procedures.

Colonel John Wilson is the Regional SaBRE Campaign Director at East Midlands RFCA. He works with the County Committees and the Reserve Units to provide support to Reservists and their employers. He is able to provide information and advice on matters relating to the rights and obligations of employing Reservists. The main areas of his business are:

• Engaging with employers to provide information and advice
• Briefings and visits for employers in the UK 
• Supporting the RFCA County Committees in their employer support activities
• Providing guidance and support to members of the Reserve Forces on employer issues

Employer Information

What do employers need to know?

• the role Reservists play in the Armed Forces
• the potential benefits of employing a Reservist – personal development and transferable skills; specialist skills and training
• the practicalities of employing a Reservist – training commitment; employer's rights; Reservist’s responsibilities; managing Reservists
• the legislation that affects Reservists and their employers – for mobilisation and employment protection
• what mobilisation means for Reservists and their employers
• how an employer can support the Volunteer Reserve Forces – HR policy; become a supportive employer
• what SaBRE is and the role it plays
• the support that SaBRE provides for both employers and Reservists

All this information can be found at www.sabre.mod.uk

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