Compass launches new Armed Forces spouse policy

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Ahead of Armed Forces Week, Compass Group UK & Ireland is introducing a new policy to support employees who are Armed Forces spouses.   

This recognises the important role spouses play in supporting their partners who are serving.   

As an Armed Forces Covenant signatory, the food and support services firm is dedicated to supporting those within the forces, ex-military and their families. The new policy takes Compass’ commitment and support a step further recognising that often spouses give up their career or take a step backwards, when required to move due to partners being posted to another location or if they require time to support families at home.   

Compass is now committing to:  

• Provide an additional day of paid leave to support pre or post-deployments of three months or longer.  

• Endeavour to redeploy military spouses to an alternative role internally on notification of a spouse’s posting. This has previously been done ad hoc but will now be required across the UK business.  

• Recognise and celebrate military spouses on Compass’ annual Spouses’ Day through different events.   

Army wife Sarah Tott has been with Compass Group UK & Ireland for five years. She said: “When I heard about the new policy I thought it was amazing. Over the last five years I have already benefitted from the company’s support in redeploying spouses to alternative roles on notification of postings, so it’s great this is now being formalised across the business.”   

Camilla Howard, new Chair of the Compass Group UK & Ireland Armed Forces committee, who has been with Compass Group UK & Ireland for six years, said: “There are so many spouses in our business, across all of our sectors, who will benefit from the extra time given to them to support and spend time with their loved ones either pre or post-deployment.   

“As an RAF veteran and an Army spouse myself, I know the challenges that come with being a military family and juggling your own career. This policy should help provide reassurance to colleagues that they are able to have open discussions about new postings, so we are able to keep employees within the Compass family.”