Henshall & Sheehy Support Services Ltd
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 Henshall & Sheehy Support Services Ltd 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 Henshall & Sheehy Support Services Ltd 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
We also pledge the following:
Promoting the Armed Forces: Henshall & Sheehy shall help promote the Armed Forces by firstly signing and adhering to this Covenant. With this we shall take the opportunity to be recognised by the Employer Recognition Scheme award and will display the logo throughout our business. Employment support to members of the Armed Forces Community: At Henshall & Sheehy, we understand that Armed Forces Regular Personnel and mobilised Reserves do not receive the full benefits of the Working Hours Legislation. With this in mind, we will review each person on case-by-case basis in terms of changes to leave and entitlement. We also ensure that if they are on call and are working unsociable and long hours, this is factored into their work commitments with us. Communications, engagement and outreach: We will engage wherever possible, with the Armed Forces Community and will do all we can to participate or attend any local events throughout the year. We will liaise with our local councils ahead of the next Armed Forces Day nearer the time to see if this is something we can actively participate in. Collaboration is one of Henshall & Sheehys core values and we shall seek to collaborate with other organisations where possible to achieve more of an impact. Health: Anyone employed Service People will be given access to our Employee Assistance Program and will not be treated differently to any other employee. The program amongst other things, provides access to GP appointments and counselling & advice services. There is also opportunity for them to extend these services to their spouses and family. We know that Stress and Psychosocial elements can affect Service People particularly. We are proud to be ISO:45003 certified and fully support mental health in the workplace. Additionally, all our RAMS include sections on Mental Health & Wellbeing. Housing: Where possible, we will endeavour to support Service People when trying to find housing. Whether this means helping them find local connections, putting them in contact with relevant organisations for advice and support or having a flexible approach to attend appointments on a case-by-case basis. Education & Training: Where Service People may experience interrupted education and social experience, Henshall & Sheehy will welcome them openly. If they are of appropriate age and if circumstances permit, they may be able to join our apprenticeship schemes where they will be fully supported into a career. Service People employed by Henshall & Sheehy shall have every opportunity to train and develop their careers with us so long as their role permits, and it is beneficial to the business.
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.