GovWire

About the scheme

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

The ERS is designed primarily to recognise private sector support although public sector organisations such as the emergency services, local authorities, NHS trusts and executive agencies are also eligible to be recognised.

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Bronze award

Bronze award holders:

• are self-nominated by employers who pledge to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community
• must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
• 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
• receive an electronic certificate and logos to display on their website, stationery and other collateral

View the ERS Bronze award holders

Silver award

Silver award holders:

• must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
• the employer must already be accredited as a holder of ERS Bronze Award and held it with sufficient time to develop suitable plans and policies and evidence to support the ERS Silver application. The employer must proactively demonstrate that service personnel and the armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes
• 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 positiveHRpolicy 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
• the employer should demonstrate support to the Cadet movement as a whole by providing proactive support to individual cadets and/or to local cadet units

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