As an employer, you’re likely aware of the valuable skills and experience Veterans can bring to your organisation. However, you may wonder how to best support and retain these individuals.
Challenges Employers Face
Despite best intentions, employers often encounter barriers when building veteran-inclusive workplaces, including:
- Translating Military Experience: Job descriptions and CV’s may not align. Difficulty understanding and applying military experience and skills to Civilian roles.
- Cultural Fit: Veterans may find civilian workplaces unfamiliar, especially if managers lack military experience, so they may take time to adapt.
- Retention and engagement: Once hired, some veterans leave their roles due to a lack of mentorship, unclear career pathways, or inadequate onboarding. Keeping Veterans employees engaged and motivated.
- PTSD and mental health: Supporting veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health conditions that they may have.
5 Ways to Help Businesses Hire and Retain Veterans
1. Inclusive company Culture
Foster an inclusive company culture that values and respects Veterans Experiences, where Veterans feel comfortable in the workplace.
2. Train Hiring Managers and HR Teams
Provide training and resources to help translate military experience into civilian job skills.
3. Promote Veteran Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Encourage companies to create or support ERGs focused on veterans. These groups can offer peer support, build community, and help veterans navigate their new roles.
4. Build Structured Onboarding and Mentorship Programs
Veterans often thrive in environments with structure and purpose. By developing onboarding programs tailored to veterans will help them succeed allowing them to feel supported whilst navigation their transition and integration.
5. Recognition and support
Create a culture of appreciation. Celebrate Veterans Day internally, spotlight veteran employees, and encourage leaders to acknowledge the unique contributions veterans bring to the workplace. Provide access to support services, such as mental health resources.
As its Armed Forces Week, let’s commit to more than gratitude. Let’s invest in practical, ongoing support for the businesses that can give veterans what they deserve most after service: a future.