Supportive employers Show your Support Learn how you can become a Supportive Employer of Australia s Defence Reservists
Thousands of Reservists, who are members of the Navy, Army and Air Force, have served in Australia and overseas in recent years. When called upon, these men and women serve alongside their colleagues in the Permanent Forces with courage and dedication, and often at considerable personal sacrifice. We admire their commitment and are determined to support all employees in the Reserve. Jack Smorgon, AO, National Chairman, Defence Reserves Support Council
Show your support for Reservists Defence Reserves Support is contacting employers across Australia, asking them to publicly pledge their support for Reservists by endorsing the statement opposite. We are asking you to recognise the personal sacrifice and commitment involved in this extremely challenging and critical role, just as we hope you appreciate the extra skills, experience and maturity that service in the Reserve provides any Reservists you employ. You may not currently employ Reservists, or if you do, you may not know them personally. You may have no personal experience of the military or knowledge of how they currently operate. However, none of this should matter. We are asking you to support an overarching principle that Reservists should have the backing of their civilian employers. Companies and organisations of all sizes have already joined this campaign and their names are listed on the Defence Reserves Support website defencereservessupport.gov.au Details of how you can be included are at the end of this brochure. Your support will be gratefully received by the men and women of the Reserve, whether they currently work for you or they hope to in the future. 3
Reservists: an asset to the nation The Reserve is a fundamental part of our nation s Defence Force. At sea, on land and in the air they provide vital specialist expertise and trained manpower in times of need. Reservists join the Navy, Army or Air Force as part-time members. They can join as new recruits or can transfer from the full-time Defence Force. They are prepared to take on the challenge of training and through their dedication, show a strong commitment to Australia. Reservists serve alongside the Permanent Forces, bringing specialist skills in many areas including medicine, information technology, the law and engineering as well as additional trained manpower. Throughout history, Reservists have provided the capacity to expand the Permanent Forces to face new challenges when needed. It would not be practical to maintain Permanent Forces that are of a size and range able to meet the nation s needs in every potential type of war or crisis. Defence Reservists play a key role in safeguarding Australia s security. 4
Reservists: an asset to their employers The types of skills that are hardest for a business or organisation to provide training for in areas such as leadership, self-confidence and initiative are exactly the skills which service in the Reserve develops most. Reservists are also often given a high level of responsibility much earlier in their military career than in their civilian employment. Studies around the world indicate that this skills training is valuable in civilian employment and would cost an employer thousands of dollars a year if purchased commercially. The world of work is changing flexible working conditions and corporate responsibility are becoming increasingly important in attracting and retaining the best staff. Clients, customers and other stakeholders are also demanding a more socially responsible approach from organisations and supporting the Reserve can form part of this response. However, the main reason so many employers support their staff in the Reserve is not so self-serving many employers say that Reservists should be supported simply as a matter of principle. We want to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an employer of Defence Reserves. Our organisation can provide you with information about the key support initiatives available. There are Department of Defence employees in every State and Territory of Australia who are available to help you work through any issues you may have related to your employees who are Reservists. There is also a comprehensive website and telephone help line. We re here to help you. In addition, each State and Territory has a Defence Reserves Support Council and some also have committees in larger regional centres. They are volunteers and include representatives from industry, small business, trade unions, youth and other interested community groups. 5
Be an informed employer One of the key initiatives established to help employers is the Employer Support Payment Scheme (ESPS). This Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible employers to help offset the costs of releasing employees for most categories of Australian Defence Force service. ESPS is paid at a set weekly rate regardless of the employee s salary and there are no restrictions on the way employers can use the money. The weekly rate is equivalent to the average weekly full-time adult ordinary time earnings and is set for 12 months beginning on 1 July each year. The figure is published on the Defence Reserves Support website at defencereservessupport.gov.au ESPS is payable for full-time employees. It may be paid on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees (as long as they are not also in fulltime employment). ESPS may be payable for casual employees engaged in work on a regular or reliable basis. It is important that you are aware of your rights and obligations under the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 (The Act). The Act requires employers to release employees who are members of the Reserve to undertake Defence service. The Act also makes it mandatory for employers to release their Reservists for training. That said, neither the Australian Government, nor the Australian Defence Force, wants to impose unreasonable burdens on employers. Reservists also have obligations to their employers. For instance, they should always attempt to give their employer reasonable notice of their requirement to perform Defence service. The Office of Reserve Service Protection has been established to provide advice and assistance to Reservists, their units, and employers, in dealing with the provisions of The Act. If you would like further information about your rights and obligations contact 1800 671 998 or email orsp@defence.gov.au
How to pledge your support Reservists need your support. The Act states employers must release their employees for Reserve service and that Reservists should not be required to take either recreational or long service leave to undertake that service. As this is the case, leave guidelines for Reservists working in the private sector have been developed in conjunction with peak bodies. These guidelines aim to provide a model of supportive arrangements and practices. Defence Reserves Support would like to work with you to develop a leave policy for your organisation based on these guidelines. We would also ask that you formally pledge your support for Reservists. Asking your organisation to pledge its support is not something we do lightly. We understand the multitude of other human resources issues you have to take into account in the running of your organisation. The process to pledge your support is simple. All you need to do is complete a Statement of Employer Support Form. You have the option of asking us to contact you to discuss the development of a Supportive Leave Policy for Reservists within your organisation. Pledge your support: call the Defence Reserves Support help line on 1800 803 485 and request a form or complete the electronic form on defencereservessupport.gov.au We are very happy to help with any queries you may have, whether about this initiative or about employing Reservists in general. 7
defencereservessupport.gov.au 1800 803 485 Defence Reserves Support, within the Department of Defence s Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division (CRESD), supports the relationship between Reservists and their employers. Information and advice for Reservists and their employers is available from the Defence Reserves Support helpline and website. We also have Department of Defence employees in every State and Territory of Australia who are available to help you work through any issues you may have related to employing Reservists. Feb 2013 - Produced by CRESD Directorate of Communication