Small business opinion research

13 May 2008

SaBRE recently commissioned opinion research which looked at small businesses' views on the Reserve Forces and their perceptions of the skills and experience Reservist employees bring to the workplace.

The research, conducted by YouGov amongst over 340 small businesses across the UK, was used to drive PR around the recent visit of the business leaders to Afghanistan and launch SaBRE's focus on small businesses.        

Key findings:

• Almost two-thirds (64%) of those employers surveyed who are responsible for recruitment said they would be happy for their organisation to employ members of the Reserve Forces. Two in five (40%) said the reason for this was for practical advantages as they recognised the skills Reservists bring to the workplace. A third (33%) said it was for moral reasons, as they felt it was important to support the Reserve Forces.
  
  
• Over one in ten (12%) of those employers surveyed who are responsible for recruitment believe that the Reserve Forces are just a hobby for people who enjoy outdoor pursuits. 9% believe they are just for the defence of the UK. However, many of those questioned showed a good understanding of the role of the Reserve Forces: 72% said they fight alongside the Regular Army on the frontline, whilst 66% said that they provide support in civil emergencies.
  
  
• The skills which those employers surveyed who are responsible for recruitment find most difficult to find in potential employees are reliability (58%), an ability to respond well to pressure and handle difficult situations (55%), good interpersonal and communication skills (47%), a willingness to take responsibility (47%), good planning and project management (36%), a good team player (31%) and good leadership and management skills (32%).
  
  Interestingly, many of the employers questioned recognised that Reservist employees bring many of these skills and attributes to the workplace including being a team player (67%), ability to respond well to pressure and handling difficult situations (60%), a willingness to take responsibility (50%) and good leadership and management skills (42%).
  
  
• When employers were informed of the role Reservists are playing in Iraq and Afghanistan, one in five said this information made them happier for their organisation to employ them.  

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