Black Onyx Concepts Limited
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We Black Onyx Concepts Limited will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 Black Onyx Concepts Limited recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Discounts
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:
Promoting the Armed Forces: promoting the fact that we are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation, to our staff, customers, suppliers, contractors and wider public. Using AFC and ERS logos on marketing collateral, website, email footers and company vehicles to highlight our commitment to the Armed Forces. Promotional campaigns such as hosting our own veteran support events providing essential help to the veteran and reservist community. Attend Employer Engagement events and promoting these events by posting on social media. Veterans: supporting the employment of veterans, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process; working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and the British Forces Resettlement Service (BFRS) to support the employment of Service leavers. Attend veteran job fairs to provide information regarding employment opportunities within our organisation, specifically Royal British Legion (RBL) working specifically with the wounded, injured and sick. Utilising our in-house training academy, we offer discounted rates to veterans and reservists for all security and medical related courses, followed by a job interview upon successful completion of full security courses. Service Spouses & Partners: offer support for any spouse or partner whose partner is to be deployed before, during and after deployment by authorising leave at short notice where possible. Offering guaranteed interviews to spouses/partners if they meet the selection criteria outlined in the job advert. Look sympathetically on requests for holidays before, during or after a partners overseas deployment, when the service person has leave to spend time with their family. Reserves: implementation of HR policy that supports the reserves by offering additional 10+ days paid leave. Supporting our employees who are members of the Reserve Forces; granting additional paid/unpaid leave for annual Reserve Forces training; supporting any mobilisations and deployment; actively encouraging members of staff to become Reservists. Accommodating training commitments wherever possible. Cadet Organisations: supporting local cadet units where possible. Encouraging our employees to become cadet helpers/instructors and support our employees who are volunteer leaders in military cadet organisations, granting additional leave to attend annual training camps and courses; supporting local military cadet units; recognising the benefits of employing cadets/ex-cadets within the workforce. National Events: supporting Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal Day and Remembrance activities. To include veteran events arranged and hosted by our own organisation. Armed Forces Charities: supporting Armed Forces charities, such as the Royal Marines Charity (RMA) with fundraising and supporting staff who volunteer to assist.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.