Leading public services provider Amey has announced an extra five days of paid annual leave for the company's military Reservists.
Underlining its commitment to recruiting and supporting members of the Army, Royal Naval, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Amey is today announcing its new Armed Forces Reserves Policy that includes extra paid time off work so reservists can fulfil their Annual Deployment Exercise.
Amey's announcement coincides with Reserves Day 2016 (formerly Uniform to Work Day), an annual event which encourages Reservists to wear their military uniforms to work, therein recognising and celebrating the important role they play in supporting the UK’s defence capability while also making a significant contribution to the UK economy as employees and owners of British businesses.
Amey’s Policy builds on its existing 'Supporting our Armed Forces' strategy, which was updated in August 2016 to consolidate the company's wider efforts to hire and support both Reservists and ex-Armed Forces employees, in addition to their families. The Strategy was announced in conjunction with an official pledge to the MoD Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, which the business signed in November 2013.
Today's announcement, meanwhile, follows the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme's decision to present Amey with a Silver Award in late 2015 for promoting a range of Armed Forces friendly positions and openly employing members of the military community.
Ian Deninson, Amey’s HR and Communications Director, commented: "This policy is an important step towards establishing Amey as a leading employer of Reservists and ex-Armed Forces candidates in the UK. We're an organisation that values diversity and inclusion, and we recognise the unique skills that employees with military experience can bring to our business.
"We hope this move will make Amey an even more attractive employer for Reserves and that our existing Reserves will feel an ever greater level of support over the course of careers with us."