With 85% of our work force being either a veteran or a reservist this is a very proud moment for TMS and the award recognises our support and commitment to the Armed Forces. Representing the highest badge of honour, Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards are awarded to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans and their families. To win an award, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for Reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, Reserves, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces. Organisations must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme. With only 493 companies across the UK having been awarded Gold this achievement has acknowledge our hard work, support and commitment to our Armed Forces. Gold Award Members: • Must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. • Employers must have an existing relationship with their National Account Manager/REED/appropriate defence representative. • The employer must already be demonstrating support by holding a valid ERS Silver Award. Employers that do not hold a valid ERS Silver Award cannot progress to the Gold level. • The employer must proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes. Where possible, they should be engaged with Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers and have registered for the Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) portal. • Employers should employ at least one individual from the AFC category that the nomination emphasises. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must employ at least one Reservist. In exceptional circumstances where there is outstanding generic support for the Armed Forces community and/or the size or business model of the organisation makes employment of such an individual impossible, the organisation can be considered for the award where they do not employ someone from the AFC category. • The employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive human resources policy on Reserves. • The employer must be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results. • Within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place. They must provide at least 10days’ additional leave for training, fully paid, to the Reservist employee. • The employer must not have been the subject of any negative public relations or media activity.