The benefits of good communication
Why communicating with SaBRE matters
Members of the Volunteer and Regular Reserve Forces (VRF) are playing an increasingly important role in our country's military capability, across the full scope of operations.
So it is essential that employers have the support they need, to help them deal with the various issues arising from having Reservists among their workforce. Through SaBRE, you can keep up to date about your rights and responsibilities, and have ready access to assistance with any aspect of working with Reservist employees.
While SaBRE uses a whole range of communications channels and takes full advantage of modern technology, the best way to exchange information and build relationships is face-to-face. So we take every opportunity to get to know employers personally, either through meetings with Regional SaBRE Campaign Directors (RSCDs) or at SaBRE events.
Our Regional SaBRE Campaign Directors are there to offer personal support. And while we don't handle individual Reservist cases, we're always happy to point you in the right direction. (See Contact us and Regional contacts).
For a full rundown of the communication channels available to you from SaBRE, please refer to the 'Related information' section on this page to down load the PDF document - The benefits of good communication.
The employer's view
Stuart Taylor is Head of External Relations for the Royal Mail in Wales. With a dozen servicemen and women among their workforce, they're the largest employer of Reservists in the Principality and so find SaBRE's support particularly relevant and helpful.
"Contact tends to be through involvement in employer briefing sessions and also at SaBRE events that happen throughout the year. On the flip side, I've invited SaBRE people along to events that the Royal Mail does, which are often attended by senior colleagues in the business. So there's an opportunity to meet and then, afterwards, a more detailed dialogue about the work of SaBRE can happen if people want it. Hopefully to the benefit of both organisations. It goes both ways and I think it's important it does."
The RSCD's view
Gerry Blythe is RSCD for Wales, a region with over 170,000 employers, ranging from large corporates - such as the Post Office - to businesses with just a handful of staff. As a former TA commander, Gerry has a first-hand understanding of a Reservist's role. But developing a similar empathy with employers is the key to his current role.
"The job of the RSCD is to make sure SaBRE is signposted, so that when employers have a problem, they know where to come and they know they'll get straight answers. If employers know they're going to get an honest piece of information, then they'll continue to use you. I have to be able to see their side, because if I didn't, that's when the trust would break down."
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