Southeastern has been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, recognising its commitment to supporting colleagues who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families.
The Gold Award is given to organisations that go beyond the commitments set out in the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrate outstanding support for the Armed Forces community. In Southeastern’s case, this includes up to 10 days’ additional paid leave a year for reservists and cadet force adult volunteers, guaranteed interviews for veterans who meet the minimum criteria for certain roles, and support and signposting for veterans as they start new roles.
These measures build on the Armed Forces Covenant, which Southeastern signed in Dover in October 2022. The Covenant is a national pledge that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and face no disadvantage because of their service. By signing it, employers commit to supporting veterans, reservists, and their families through workplace policies, recruitment practices and working in local communities.
Steve Foster, People & Culture Director at South Eastern Railway, said:
"We're proud to receive the Ministry of Defence's Gold Award. This recognition reflects the work of our Armed Forces Network and colleagues across Southeastern to make our railway a supportive place for veterans, reservists and military families.
"Both Southeastern and Network Rail hold this level of accreditation, demonstrating the railway's commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. We want people leaving the services, reservists and military family members to know there are a wide range of rewarding careers available across both track and train, with opportunities to develop new skills and build long-term careers in the railway."
Southeastern's work to support veterans, reservists, military families and cadet volunteers also includes:
- Providing up to 10 days of additional paid leave each year for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
- Offering guaranteed interviews to veterans who meet the minimum criteria for certain roles at Southeastern
- Providing support and signposting for veterans during corporate induction and onboarding
- Supporting colleagues through its Armed Forces Network, which brings together serving personnel, veterans, military families and allies, and now has more than 100 members
- Sponsoring veteran careers fairs and promoting careers in rail to the Armed Forces community
- Working with the Duke of York's Royal Military School and 354 (Dover) Squadron RAF Air Cadets to support the annual Dover Remembrance Service
- Leading the Railway 200 contingent at the Cenotaph
- Bringing the historic Cavell Van to Dover as part of Railway 200 commemorations
- Celebrating its commitment through the Armed Forces Class 395 livery
The award also recognises the work of Southeastern's Armed Forces Network, which promotes careers in rail, supports colleagues with service backgrounds and helps raise awareness of the contribution made by the Armed Forces community across the business.
