XPO has been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award by the Armed Forces Covenant for the company being a “leading light” in supporting veterans throughout the business.
The Covenant helps members of the UK Armed Forces community gain access to critical government and commercial services and products, including healthcare, education, childcare and other areas.
Individuals with military backgrounds make up a significant part of the XPO Logistics team. More than 200 personnel in the UK are veterans, military spouses, cadet force adult volunteers (CFAVs), or reservists, working across the business in professions ranging from drivers to finance and accounting staff.
Employing veterans is only one aspect of the support XPO provides its Forces personnel. The company has also supported Forces-involved staff being mobilised since 2021.
In addition, reservists have pre-deployment meetings with line managers and return-to-work interviews with non-obligatory discussions about skills gained on deployment.
The company also reaches out to local Unit Employer Support Officers (UESOs) to find out what other support it can offer them.
CFAVs also receive an additional ten days of leave, which can be unpaid where required, and military spouses receive three days of extra leave per year to support their partners’ deployments and meet family needs.
XPO said it has attended various events to help support Defence personnel with employment and a more comprehensive understanding of the demands placed on them in business.
It added that having this improved knowledge of the challenges employees face balancing civilian and military roles has led the company to review and reevaluate its policies, including granting extra holiday allocation for CFAVs. XPO has also supported fundraising projects and supply logistics for cadet force operations.
Frederick Hopkins, East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association head of engagement, said: “XPO has been a leading light in offering support to not just its military veteran colleagues, but more widely to military spouses, volunteers and reserves within the company.
“Its constant push towards excellence in this area is why it has won the coveted Gold Award, and we cannot think of a more worthy recipient.”
Lynn Brown, XPO Logistics vice president of human resources, UK and Ireland, commented: “We are proud to support our Forces veterans and reservists, as well as their families, along with Cadet Force volunteers.
“This prestigious award acknowledges the hard work that XPO collectively puts into understanding the demands on our UK Armed Forces colleagues.”
“We also have a director-level Armed Forces Champion in Chris Green, the main point of contact for members needing additional support. This appointment highlights how much Defence is a priority across XPO.”
