Duforest 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 Duforest 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 Duforest 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
- UK Wounded, Injured And Sick
We also pledge the following:
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Publicly affirming our support for the Covenant across corporate channels and at sector events.
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Appointing an internal Armed Forces Covenant Champion to oversee delivery and act as point of contact.
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Actively recruiting from the Armed Forces community, including through recognised pathways such as TechVets.
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Recognising military training and experience in recruitment, progression and salary decisions.
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Considering remote or flexible working options for spouses and partners of serving personnel where role requirements allow, ensuring that opportunities within Duforest remain accessible to the wider Armed Forces Community.
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Providing mentoring and skills-transition support for Service leavers interested in careers in Al and technology.
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Encouraging staff volunteering with Armed Forces charities and community initiatives, subject to business needs.
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Ensuring Our products and services are accessible to the Armed Forces community without disadvantage.
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We will promote wellbeing for any employees from the Armed Forces community and signpost them to appropriate local and UK-based Support services (e.g. NHS Op COURAGE and charity partners).
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Training line managers to understand the needs of Reservists, Veterans and families.
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Although we are not an education provider, we will support employees and their families with reasonable flexibility for schooling and relocation arrangements associated With military service, and we Wil s’gnpost them to relevant guidance and local authority support.
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While Duforest Limited is not a housing provider, we Will accommodate reasonable requests for flexibility around relocations or move-related appointments connected to Service life, and will direct affected employees to appropriate local or UK charitable housing support as needed.
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Reviewing these commitments annually and reporting progress internally.
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Seeking recognition through the MOtYs Employer Recognition Scheme, aiming to achieve Bronze and to progress towards Silver within five years.
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.