Employees who are members of Volunteer Reserve Forces must tell employers of status and commitments

29 April 2004

The Government has mobilised more reservists in the last 2 years than it has done for decades. This has motivated a change in policy by the Ministry of Defence. Previously there was no obligation for members of the Volunteer Reserve forces to inform their employers of their status as reservists, but from 1 April 2004 all new reservists must agree to their employers being told, so plans may be made to cover their absence.

For existing reservists (with some exceptions) the policy will be phased in over the next three years.

Clearly this policy will be helpful to employers and if nothing else, alert them to the need to understand the obligations and protections given to reservists.