Introducing MilNet

We’re proud to see the launch of MilNet, a new Employee Resource Group for veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, their family members and friends.

We spoke with Product Specification Design Manager and MilNet Chair, Robert, to learn more about his experience as a Royal Navy Reservist working at Royal Mail, and why the launch of this group is so important.

Why did you choose to work at Royal Mail?

Royal Mail has always been popular with service people. I guess there’s something familiar about serving the public, braving the elements, and wearing the uniform.

One of the main reasons I considered joining Royal Mail was because it’s a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge which demonstrates support to defence and the armed forces community.

There are also HR policies to help people like me take time off from my role as a Product Specification Design Manager for required service.

Why is it important to have a group like MilNet at Royal Mail?

Since the launch of the Employee Resource Groups last year, there’s been a lot of passion internally to introduce one for serving and ex-serving colleagues. MilNet gives our current veterans and reservists a space to connect, a voice within the business, and an opportunity to help shape the future of the business so we can continue to be a great place for veterans and reservists to work.

What’s first on the agenda for MilNet?

Next week, 24 – 29 June, is Armed Forces Week, and includes Reserves Day (26 June) and Armed Forces Day (29 June).

We want to use this opportunity to start raising awareness of the existing support available for members of the armed forces community from both MilNet and Royal Mail. We also want to grow our membership so we can hear from more people on how we can make Royal Mail a great place for veterans and reservists.

We know a lot of people also want to understand how they can better support their serving or ex-serving colleagues, friends and family, so we’re providing opportunities for everyone to get involved with the week.

We’ll be running a Connect and Learn at 11am on 24 June to kick off the week. We’ll share a recording after for people who can’t make it, and then share stories throughout the rest of the week from some of our MilNet members. You can follow #ArmedForcesWeek on Workplace to take part.

How does Royal Mail currently support the armed forces community?

• All Royal Mail job adverts carry a forces-friendly logo
• We raise awareness of our policies and MilNet during the induction process
• Our Time Off Work policy now includes two weeks’ paid leave for reservists to participate in the Annual Active Service Commitment
• We’ve created a factsheet for managers
• There’s a section for veterans in the Wellbeing Hub
• We’re creating a self-identification process on our HR systems to allow veterans, reservists, CFAVs and spouses/partners to voluntarily declare their status
• And we continue to support the British Forces Post Office – a 210-year military and commercial alliance allowing serving military personnel and their families to exchange letters and

Thank you for sharing your story with us Robert! You can read more about Robert in our full interview with him in Courier. We look forward to seeing the difference that MilNet is going to make for our serving and ex-serving colleagues.

Interested in learning more about Milnet? Join the MilNet Workplace group here.