Our pledges
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our HM Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the HM Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
1.1 We, the University of Exeter, will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face a disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen
- in some circumstances, special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
2.1 The University of Exeter recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by:
Promoting His Majesty's Armed Forces
2.2 Publicising our commitments on our website, including the Covenant logo, setting out how we seek to honour the Armed Forces community and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers.
2.3 Showing on our website and through our actions that UoE is an Armed Forces friendly organisation.
2.4 Embedding the Armed Forces Covenant Advocacy Group within the University's Wellbeing, Inclusion and Culture Committee (WICC) as part of the University's inclusion, people and culture strategy.
2.5 Ensuring all job adverts show our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
2.6 Providing an Armed Forces Community Staff and Student Network that welcomes all those connected with the Service community including serving personnel on university programmes, veterans, reservists, service families and students that are service children.
2.7 Supporting academic research and teaching in the defence and security sphere as part of the Exeter Defence, Security and Resilience Network.
2.8 Involving the Armed Forces Community in our taught programmes to enhance the learning of our student community.
Veterans
2.9 Welcoming job applications from veterans and highlighting their veteran status through the recruiting process. Ensuring job descriptions are inclusive and recognise transferrable skills.
2.10 Organising work experience for veterans.
2.11 Offering short term work experience as a member of the Career Transition Programme (CTP) Assist programme for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel who due to the nature of their injuries may face challenges when looking for employment as a result of their medical discharge.
Service Spouses and Partners
2.12 Welcoming job applications from the service community and ensuring recruiting managers understand the value of service spouses/partners and the challenges they may have experienced through their career as a service spouse.
2.13 Offering support to the service community through the University's Armed Forces Covenant Advocacy Group to those seeking employment at the University.
2.14 Offering support from those who 'get it' and a staff community network for service spouses/partners working for the University.
2.15 Offering, subject to operational requirements, annual leave flexibility for partners of HM Service personnel before, during and after a partner's deployment. The University will also consider allowing the employee to take an extended period of leave (from their annual leave entitlement) and/or allow leave to be carried forward into the following year or brought forward from the following year.
Reservists
2.16 Offering all UK Military Reservists an additional 10 days of paid leave to support their reservists commitments.
2.17 Supporting managers to understand the value Reservists bring to the organisation.
2.18 Facilitating, subject to operational requirements (and its statutory duties), a Reservists mobilisation and actively support the Reservist's subsequent return to work.
Cadet Organisations
2.19 Offering all UK Cadet Force Adult Volunteers an additional 10 days of paid leave to support their cadet commitments.
2.20 Supporting managers to understand the value Reservists bring to the organisation.
2.21 Supporting regional cadet groups through the University's Discover University programme.
Student Support
2.22 Learning through student registration how many UoE students are service children and ensuring the requisite student support and welfare provision to enable normal attainment levels as part of our Success for All commitments.
2.23 Supporting the Military Education Committee in its oversight of military education, promoting community engagement, a high-quality student experience and employability from the University Service Units (USU) including supporting their participation at Welcome Week.
2.24 Supporting the Exeter University Officers Training Corps (OTC) and the Devon University Royal Navy Unit (URNU) who provide highly valued life skills and Service experience. Working closely with the OTC to ensure training doe not impact upon academic commitments and to collaborate in support of student wellbeing.
2.25 Promoting careers in the Armed Forces as part of our student employability initiatives.
Service Children
2.26 Ensuring trainee teachers on the University Postgraduate Certificate in Education, PGCE, understand the differing experiences of service children in primary and secondary schools before they undertake their school placements.
For Staff
2.27 Encouraging use of annual Performance and Development Reviews to explore how an employee's military experience can be applied effectively to their work.
2.28 Training and mentoring all staff to understand the Covenant through Manager and Mentor training.
Business and Commercial Support
2.29 Including the Covenant in UoE partnership due diligence processes - promoting partners to sign the Covenant.
2.30 Including the Covenant in the University's social value procurement measures and advocating for supplier sign up.
2.31 Offering UoE (Exeter) facilities through Event Exeter at reduced rates for the Armed Forces and Military Charities.
National and Regional Events
2.32 Supporting and promoting the Covenant at national days of Remembrance and Armed Forces days, as well as at the annual Ten Tors Challenge event.