In 2025, Reserves Day is being celebrated on Wednesday 25 June. Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve as part of the military.
Employer Obligations
The 3 main issues that employers should be aware of in respect of employees who are reservists are as follows:
Training
Military reservists have to attend training. Employers are not obliged to provide any time off work for an employee to attend training. Some employers may allow employees to take unpaid leave to attend their annual training (or any other training, if this conflicts with their normal working hours). However, in the absence of employers making specific provision, employees must use their annual leave or unpaid leave if agreed by their employer to attend training during their normal working hours.
Mobilisation
Reservists are liable to be mobilised for potentially long periods of time. The MoD aims to give at least 28 days’ notice of mobilisation, but this is not guaranteed. If an employer believes that the mobilisation of an employee will cause serious harm to its business, it may apply for a call-out notice to be deferred, revoked or for an exemption to be made for the reservist. An employer does not need to continue paying their salary during this time. The MoD will make up the difference (if any) between a reservist’s service pay and their regular pay.
Return to Work
Reservists have a right to return to work on demobilisation. Employers should be aware that the reservist’s right is to be re-employed in the type of job they previously held (if possible to their former role and, if that is not possible, to a mutually acceptable role), on terms and conditions which are no less favourable and for a minimum period.
Companies may have a Reservists policy in place, and if you haven’t you may want to think about having one. For more information please contact us on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and we will be in touch.