Hospital wins national reserves support award

Leadership, communication and strong organisational skills are just some of the attributes ADF reservists bring to the civilian work environment, according to South Australia Women’s and Children’s Hospital senior management.

CAPTION: Reservists and civilian employers from the public sector winner South Australia Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nick O’Connor. Photo by Private Michael Currie.

The Adelaide-based hospital was recently recognised at a national level, winning the Public Sector category of the Defence National Employer Support Awards, held at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland.

The annual awards formally recognise civilian employers’ commitment over a sustained period, or for a special effort to workplace practices, that enables the Defence member to complete their ADF service commitments.

Acting nursing director Sally Milsom said the hospital had a range of flexible leave policies, which supported Reserve members in undertaking their ADF service.

“We provide reservists with access to 20 days’ military leave per year,” Ms Milson said.

“In return for this support, the hospital gets the extensive knowledge and expertise gained from working in a Defence environment.

“The reservists have given back to the organisation by sharing the knowledge and skills they have acquired.”

Head of Joint Support Services Division Major General Douglas Laidlaw thanked all employers who support their Defence Reserve employees.

“The Employer Support Awards acknowledge the contributions made by employers of reservists at a national level,” Major General Laidlaw said.

“It’s important that we officially thank the raft of employers throughout the nation who support reservists through a range of flexible working arrangements and policies.”

As well as the personal attributes reservists bring to a workplace, there is a range of incentives on offer for support to employers.

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