Nottinghamshire employers awarded gold for supporting armed forces

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire County Council have both been awarded the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) gold award for supporting defence personnel and encouraging others to do the same.

To achieve gold, organisations must demonstrate that they provide ten extra paid days leave for reserves and have supportive HR policies in place for veteran, reserves, cadet force adult volunteers, and spouses and partners of those serving in the armed forces.

Councillor Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are delighted that the secretary of state for defence has recognised and granted Nottinghamshire County Council a gold award.

"This is a highly prestigious and sought after award and it is recognition of our solid support and advocacy for the armed forces community.

“We have developed, over the years, a number of supportive HR policies for veterans, reserves and cadet force adult volunteer employees and are also proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant.

"We very much value the skills and expertise our armed forces’ colleagues bring to the work of the county council, and are proud to be one of only a few Nottinghamshire organisations to have been awarded this gold standard.”