Championing and Supporting Reservists: How the UK’s Forces-Friendly Employers Are Leading the Way

This Reserves Day (Wednesday 25th June), we take a moment to recognise and celebrate the incredible dedication of the UK’s reservists, ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Balancing civvy careers with military service, they play a vital role in our national defence and resilience, often juggling intense training, deployments, and professional responsibilities.

Behind every successful reservist is an employer who understands the value they bring, and goes the extra mile to support them. Across the UK, Forces-friendly employers are leading the way, offering flexible working, paid leave for training and mobilisation, and a strong commitment to helping reservists reintegrate seamlessly after periods of service. At Troopr, we take a look at some of those employers and how they support reservist employees:

Tesco exemplifies this dedication through its Volunteer Reserve Forces and Veterans’ Policy. The company proudly supports its reservist employees while also extending that support to military spouses, creating an inclusive and understanding workplace for all members of the Armed Forces community.
Leonardo a top employer in the defence sector, provides flexible leave and a comprehensive support system that enables reservists to succeed in both their civilian and military roles. One inspiring example is a Leonardo employee who continues to thrive in her day job while honouring her commitment to the Army Reserve, proof that the right support makes all the difference.
Expleo go above and beyond to support their reservist employees, offering flexible leave policies, backing them through training and deployments, and recognising the unique skills and qualifications gained through military service. Their commitment doesn’t stop there: with an active Armed Forces Network, they create a strong internal community while also providing valuable insights to leadership, ensuring the Armed Forces community is supported at every level. You can find out more about why Expleo are leading the way as a top Forces-Friendly employer here.
M & G Wealth demonstrates strong support for reservist employees by ensuring financial stability during mobilisation, covering the pay gap between their salary and MoD rates, and maintaining key benefits such as bonuses, holiday accrual, pension contributions, and continuous service. Upon return from deployment, reservists also receive reintegration support.
SaluteMyJob supports the Armed Forces Covenant by offering flexible work arrangements, extra leave for training, and support for reservists' deployment. They help reservists transition to civilian careers through free online training, advice, and job search assistance, while also connecting employers with skilled reservists.
AtkinsRéalis shows strong support for its reservist employees through its Partnering with Armed Forces programme. The company offers ten days of paid leave annually for training, hosts reservist recruitment fairs, and fosters an inclusive environment. It also values military experience, providing tailored support for transitions between military and civilian roles.
Bullet Express demonstrates its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant by supporting reservists through flexible leave for training and deployments. The company actively seeks to employ reservists, promoting itself as a forces-friendly employer.
GXO Logistics supports reservists through paid leave for training, mobilisation support, and mental health initiatives to aid in their return to work, along with Armed Forces community and events. They also recognise military skills and qualifications in their hiring process.
Amethyst Risk Management supports reservists by recognising their value and seeking to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. Their Reserve Forces HR policy provides additional leave for reservists, 10 days paid and 5 days unpaid, in support of their duties.
BAE Systems demonstrates strong support for reservists through dedicated policies and networks. Employees who serve as reservists receive 15 additional days of special leave annually to meet their training commitments. For those mobilised, structured support ensures smooth deployment and reintegration. The company also offers VetNet, an employee-led network that connects reservists and veterans, providing peer support, mentoring, and access to wellbeing resources.
SA Group offers 10 days of fully paid leave for training, flexible HR policies, and recognition of their dual commitment to work and service. The company promotes its Armed Forces Covenant support, aids training and deployments, and highlights its efforts through public channels.
Vodafone supports reservists through flexible working to accommodate training and deployments, a dedicated Armed Forces Network, and tailored recruitment for ex-service personnel. Additional support includes mobile contract suspension for deployed families and initiatives for wounded veterans.
Mears Group PLC offers flexible leave for training and deployments, dedicated employment opportunities, and family support. As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, Mears promotes a forces-friendly workplace and values the contributions of reservists and their partners.
Babcock International actively supports reservists, offering up to 10 days of paid leave for training, accommodating short-notice mobilisations, and valuing their unique skills. As part of its Armed Forces Covenant pledge, Babcock also actively recruits reservists and encourages participation in events like Reserves Day.
Fujitsu supports reservists with flexible leave for training and mobilisation, up to 10 days of special paid leave, and financial top-ups if military pay falls short. As a Gold ERS award holder, Fujitsu encourages reservist engagement, actively recruits from the Armed Forces, and fosters a supportive workplace for service personnel.

This Reserves Day, we honour the dedication of our reservists and the employers who stand proudly beside them. At Troopr, we make it easier than ever to find organisations that truly support the Armed Forces community. With our unique search feature, you can explore employers based on their specific Armed Forces Covenant pledges. Looking for those who go the extra mile for reservists? Discover those who’ve made that commitment clear here.

Today, we salute not only the brave individuals who serve our nation in uniform, but also the employers who champion them, offering flexibility, understanding, and steadfast support every step of the way.