Defence Employer Recognition Scheme – Gold Award

Bury Council has been awarded a gold award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The highest level achievable, the award is in recognition of the council being a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrating its commitment to supporting military veterans and reservists in society and in employment with the council.

This includes:

• Recognising military veterans as a protected characteristic and giving this group the same attention and protections that we would for all protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
• Marking events and raising awareness relating to military veterans and reservists throughout the year
• Providing special leave for our colleagues who are reservists to attend military training
• A commitment to holding open the job of colleagues who are reservists and have been called up to serve in military action
• Working with the armed forces career transition partnership to advertise our vacant roles with military veterans due to leave military service
• Offering a guaranteed interview to military veterans who meet the full essential criteria for roles they apply for

Councillor Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “We are rightly proud of our military heritage in Bury, and delighted to be recognised for the support we give our military veterans and reservists.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 4 December 2023.

Picture: At the awards ceremony are (from left) the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mrs Diane Hawkins JP; Sam McVaigh, the council’s director of people and inclusion; Cllr Richard Gold; council leader Cllr Eamonn O’Brien; and Wing Commander Martin Morris, RAF Air Employer Engagement Regional Officer (North).