Armed Forces reservists toolkit

This toolkit is for all colleagues responsible for supporting reservists working in the NHS. It offers practical guidance to managers in NHS trusts to understand and develop a structure of support that can be offered to reservists in the workforce.
Armed Forces reservists in your workforce
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will inform managers about who is a reservist based on information that the reservist provides. Employers should encourage reservist colleagues to notify HR internally.
If a team member notifies you that they are a reservist, you should inform your HR department so you can receive further advice and guidance. Reservists are also able to record their reservists status on supplementary roles in (ESR) Electronic Staff Record.
If a member of your team would like to become a reservist or are deciding which service they might join, it is important you are supportive of your employee's desire to do this. You can signpost them to the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force recruitment websites for further information. This guidance on the Defence Medical Services Reserves contains the relevant links and is a great place to start.
If your organisation does not have a policy specifically for reservists you should contact your HR department. Your organisation can refer to our model policy example which outlines the guidance and support available to employers of the Armed Forces within England.
Armed Forces reservists and their commitments
Reservists are dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to serve as members of the Armed Forces and take part in military and civil relief operations.
Training
Ongoing training is an important part of a reservist's role. Training commitments vary depending on the service but are usually between 19 and 27 days per year. This training usually takes place on evenings and weekends but can also be completed on weekdays should extra leave be granted to the reservist. To help you factor this into your workforce planning, reservists will be given training dates one year in advance.
Deployment
Reservists can be called up and deployed for operational duties serving in the military, where they may be absent from your organisation. They are usually given 28 days’ notice beforehand unless needed urgently.
Reservists can be deployed for periods lasting between a few weeks to 12 months, depending on their role and specialism, during which time they will be away from their civilian job. The reservist’s civilian employing organisation does have the right to appeal against or defer a reservist’s mobilisation if it would have a negative impact on the organisation.
Supporting Armed Forces reservists
Providing a supportive work environment and publicly showing your commitment as an inclusive, forces-friendly employer helps to create a positive staff experience. There are various ways to provide ongoing support to reservists such as allowing additional time off, granting flexibility for reservist training needs and showing support during periods of deployment.
See further information on our Armed Forces support organisations page, including details on where employers can access help in supporting the Armed Forces community in their workforce. There is also an NHS Reserve Forces footprint map, showing details of your local military unit.
More information on supporting reservists through their military commitments can be found in the sections below.
Additional resources

Infographic - how to become a Forces friendly employer.
Networking event - learn more about supporting reservists at our Community Connect sessions.
Guidance - Rights and responsibilities for employers and reservists (GOV.UK).
Case studies and blogs

Trust sets the pace on gold-standard military support | NHS Employers
Reservist blog - Supporting Armed Forces reservists to benefit your trust (MFT).
Reservist blog - Midwife and Army reservist Roz McMeeking (UHMBT).
Reservist blog - Pharmacy technician and Army reservist Lorna Shadbolt (UHMBT).