Four Queensland employers have been recognised for their continuous support to reservists in the Australian Defence Force, and their unwavering support of their Defence reservist employees.
The Defence Reserves Support Council Queensland State Employer Support Awards acknowledged employers across four differing categories.
Held at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in May, the Chair of the Defence Reserve Support Council Queensland Ms Jennifer Robertson presented awards to: TT Building Surveyors (Small business), Mystique Jewellers (Medium business), SunWater Ltd (Large Business) and the Gladstone Regional Council (Public Sector).
Ms Robertson said the key to a successful relationship between employers and reservists was flexibility and communication.
“All of the winners are committed to their relationship with their employee and really want them to succeed in their defence life and their civilian life and they’re flexible, which is a key reason why they’re winners – their communication is open,” Ms Robertson said.
Whilst there are some challenges of having a reservist as an employee, Ms Robertson said the benefits outweigh the negatives.
“The biggest challenge is communication, on both ends. Either reservists not communicating about deployments until really late or visa versa,” Ms Robertson said.
“The Defence Reserves Support Council tries to combat this by letting employers know key dates for reservists. There’s multiple strands of communications that work really well, and if they’re not happening that’s where things don’t work out.
“However, it’s a great opportunity for employers to have an employee who has been trained by the ADF. Quite often, they have these amazing skills like time management, project management, resilience.. all those kind of really transferable skills.”
Shawn Brosnan, General Manager of TT Building Surveyors and winner of the small business category said the award resembles everything they’ve aimed for as employers.
“I’m extremely grateful to think that this nomination and award resembles what we provide as an employer to all of our staff – that opportunity to seek their own personal goals,” Mr Brosnan said.
“There are a lot of benefits in hiring a reservist in regards to their general fitness, their mindset, their wellbeing, being part of a team which are very paramount to our culture and our business.”
The nomination came from Ashley Trost, Queensland Manager of TT Building Surveyors and a Gunner in the Royal Queensland Regiment. Mr Brosnan said they allow Mr Trost to decide what sort of support he needs, and then go from there.
“Ashley has been doing a lot of training over the last couple of years and has been actively (and with a little bit of short notice) doing courses, because that’s what he wants to do personally. And as employers, that’s what we do – assist our employees with their personal goals.”
If you would like to become a reservist supportive employer, visit www.defencereservessupport.gov.au for further information.
