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Blog • • 7 minute read

Honoring Veterans by Expanding Military Support and Inclusion in the Workplace.

In part one, we discussed WWT's dedication to supporting employee veterans and service members with community and services. Now, in part two, we share how we've grown these efforts globally by expanding initiatives that further integrate veterans' unique skills into our workplace culture.

Introduction 

World Wide Technology is committed to being a Great Place to Work for All, including Veterans and those actively serving in the military. In November, we recognized and honored these individuals through Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom. Earlier this year, in May, I wrote a blog post titled 'Honoring Veterans through Military Support and Inclusion in the Workplace,' highlighting the importance of supporting our military employees. We are now excited to announce the expansion of our support to the United Kingdom. Learn how WWT has not only maintained but also broadened its support for Veterans and active-duty personnel in our workplace.

Celebrating Veterans Day and Remembrance Day 

Guy McDonald, Lead, WWT VETS

WWT's active support comes through Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, which include strategic recruiting efforts, supplier diversity initiatives and employee communities like Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Through our ERGs, such as WWT VETS, we connect, identify opportunities for growth, and implement change within our organization. As the Lead of WWT VETS, I have had the unique opportunity to work alongside other veterans to implement positive changes and make our workplace and community more accommodating and inclusive. This includes expanding our community outside of the United States. 

In early 2023, I assumed responsibility for the UK Apprentice Program, a global extension of the WWT Associate Academy, in the London office. During my visits to the London office, I met a Royal Navy veteran, the spouse of a Royal Navy officer, a young man planning to join the British Army and a young lady planning to join the Royal Air Force. I became aware of the lack of PTO days available for military training to employees who choose to serve in the Reserve component of the British Forces. These inspiring employees became the natural catalyst for broadening the reach of the VETS ERG. Here are their stories, showcasing the real-life impact of our initiatives and the dedication of our team members. 

 

Employee Stories 

Alex Thompson-Carse 

Alex Thompson-Carse is an Associate Consulting Sales Engineer in our Global Service Provider organization. His familial ties to the army and police force inspired him to work with me on this project to implement benefits for Veterans and active-duty personnel in our UK office. 

"Coming from a family with strong ties to the army and police, supporting those in the armed forces has always been close to my heart. That's why it was important for me to push for a new benefit for those who wish to serve their country and work at WWT. With the brilliant help of Guy McDonald and Stacey Kingshott, we have been able to grant a benefit that provides 15 leave days for reservist training days. This change is about making sure that those who want to serve can do so while maintaining their careers at WWT. It's a small way to show how WWT supports those committed to serving their country." 

Stacey Kingshott 

To move this project forward, we needed to partner with our EMEA Human Resources team. Stacey Kingshott, HR Director for EMEA at WWT, helped to spearhead this initiative. She shares how her dedication to fostering a strong, inclusive culture continuously elevates the standards and creates policies to make WWT a Great Place to Work for ALL around the world. 

"At WWT, we are dedicated to fostering a strong, inclusive culture and continuously elevating HR standards across EMEA. When our HR team received a request to consider implementing military leave for our UK colleagues, we knew it was an important issue to address. We had an employee who had recently joined the armed forces reserves and asked if WWT would allow employees to take extra time off for this commitment.  

Our team, along with our colleagues in the Benefits team, researched what was currently offered in the US and whether we could mirror the US Military leave policy. Given how these accommodations will support employees moving forward, we believe this initiative will continue to make WWT a Great Place to Work for All."  

 

Caitlin Ryan 

Caitlin (middle) and two employees in the London office wear poppies for Remembrance Day 2024.

Caitlin Ryan is a member of our Apprentice Program in the UK, and I've had the privilege of getting to know her personally and professionally. Through our work to expand benefits to Veterans and active-duty personnel, people like Caitlin have had the opportunity to grow their careers at WWT while also serving their country in the Royal Air Force. 

"As the child of a former Royal Air Force pilot and regiment officer, I was always inspired by those in the armed forces. At the age of 12, I joined the Air Cadets, which was the best thing I ever did growing up! Through the cadets, I gained invaluable lessons on discipline, leadership and a sense of purpose and drive. From then on, I knew that serving my country was always something I was destined to pursue. After 2 years as an apprentice on the security sales team at World Wide Technology in London, I knew that I also wanted to take the next step and serve as a reservist. By the end of 2023, I decided to take the leap and apply!  

The application process was extensive and challenging; however, it has been so rewarding. Through perseverance, resilience and commitment, I was able to complete my first round of Basic Training in October of this year. Training alongside an incredibly driven and talented group of individuals allowed me to experience a unique sense of collaboration and camaraderie. This journey has left me feeling more energized and inspired than ever. 

The skills and experience I have gained in my reservist role have already proven invaluable to the way I work in my civilian role. The discipline, leadership and problem-solving abilities I have refined through the RAF Reserves have strengthened my resilience in high-pressure situations and improved my ability to collaborate with diverse teams. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned during my training is the intricate nature of trust and its critical role in team success. While trust often begins with mutual respect and shared goals, it is solidified over time through actions under pressure and how individuals handle responsibility. This insight has transformed the way I approach teamwork, both in the military and at WWT. 

I am especially grateful to WWT for granting me 15 additional days of leave a year to fulfil my training commitments. The support I have received from Guy McDonald and Stacey Kingshott has been instrumental, and I feel very fortunate to work at a company that values personal growth and service. WWT's commitment to fostering a culture that values personal growth, and service is something I greatly appreciate." 

Conclusion 

Our commitment to supporting Veterans and active-duty personnel at WWT continues and grows! The stories of Alex Thompson-Carse and Caitlin Ryan highlight how our military leave and support have empowered employees to balance their careers with national service. These efforts are just the beginning. In addition to expanding leave policy, we've also grown our WWT VETS ERG community. Our first international VETS ERG event in London this summer was a standout success, and I had the opportunity to participate in the Running to Honor 5k with twenty team members in the UK. 

This success reflects WWT's core values of inclusivity and support and together, we honor and support those who serve. Our global support for Veterans fosters a strong sense of community and pride, and we are excited to continue the work globally to make WWT a great place to work for all!