Creating a Veteran-Inclusive Workplace: Tips for Better Onboarding and Retention
A lack of awareness about military-to-civilian transitions leads many companies to struggle while integrating veterans into their workforce. Veterans who don’t feel included in the workplace are likely to find employment with other organizations.
Recognizing the unique skills and perspectives veterans bring to the workforce and developing strategies to ensure their long-term success encourages them to stay. Investing in veteran onboarding and retention provides a loyal and skilled workforce while fulfilling commitments to diversity and inclusion.
Why Is Veteran Retention Important?
Veterans develop a strong work ethic, adaptability, and leadership skills through their military service. However, many veterans leave their first post-military job within the first year due to challenges while transitioning from military to civilian work. As a result, companies can reduce turnover by developing an environment where veterans thrive.
Key Strategies for Veteran Retention
The following strategies can strengthen veteran retention:
Develop comprehensive onboarding programs
Employers can address cultural and role-specific integration to support veterans in the following ways:
- Tailor onboarding sessions to address veterans’ unique challenges and needs.
- Pair veterans with experienced colleagues for mentorship.
- Provide training that connects military and company terminology.
- Emphasize sustainability and social impact to engage veterans with your mission-driven organization.
Foster a culture of inclusion
Companies can use the following methods to build an inclusive workplace to ensure veterans feel valued and understood:
- Educate employees on the strengths and experiences veterans bring to the team.
- Create employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on veteran support.
- Celebrate military service during Veterans Day and other key events.
Address veterans’ health and wellness needs
Many veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other service-related conditions. Employers can support their well-being by doing the following:
- Offering comprehensive healthcare benefits that cover mental health services
- Providing remote or hybrid work arrangements and a flexible schedule to accommodate medical appointments
- Partnering with organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project for additional resources
Offer professional development opportunities
Demonstrating clear pathways for career growth helps retain veterans:
- Leveraging AI-powered tools and technologies for career mapping and skills assessment to help veterans identify job opportunities
- Career coaching sessions aligning each veteran’s military experience with their career goals
- Leadership training programs customized for veterans
- Tuition reimbursement for job-related certifications or degrees
Recognize and reward veterans’ contributions
Acknowledging veterans’ contributions in the following ways fosters loyalty and engagement:
- Offering performance incentives such as bonuses or additional paid time off
- Providing personalized thank-you notes or awards for veterans’ exemplary service
- Highlighting veterans’ achievements in company newsletters
How PrideStaff Helps Create a Veteran-Inclusive Workplace
Because veterans have dedicated their lives to serving our country, PrideStaff believes that employers should serve veterans:
- PrideStaff is committed to understanding each veteran’s unique needs and aspirations.Â
- Our dedicated recruiters go the extra mile to provide veterans with career opportunities that optimize the skills they developed in the service.
PrideStaff works to understand each veteran’s needs through the following strategies:
- In-depth interviews: PrideStaff delves into each job seeker’s military background and experiences. We take the time to translate these experiences into civilian job skills, ensuring veterans’ talents are accurately represented to employers in terms of transferable skills.
- Transition support:Â PrideStaff understands that the transition from military life to civilian employment can be challenging. We offer guidance and support to help veterans navigate the nuances of the job market.
Onboard and Retain More Veterans
PrideStaff’s recruiters have gained a reputation as a veteran staffing firm with a vast network of skilled and dedicated veterans ready to contribute to your organization’s success. Contact your local PrideStaff office to discuss your hiring needs today!Â
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