'They think it's a holiday': Employers giving army reservists a raw deal, report says
The thousands of Australian Army reservists play a key role in the nation's defence, but many part-time soldiers don't always get the support they need from their employers, new research claims.
The survey of 800 managers, published by the Australian Army Research Centre, reveals reservists can experience indifference, hostility and discrimination in the workplace.
One in five managers indicated their organisation would likely give "low or very low support" to a part-time soldier taking leave for training and combat duties.
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Thousands of part-time soldiers carry out critical roles in the Australian Army. AAP
The study also revealed a large mismatch between employers' public declarations of support for reservists and the actual tensions in the workplace.
Researchers interviewed 60 reservists about their experiences in the workplace.
"There is a lack of understanding among employers. They think it's either a holiday or a hobby or just something fun to go on your days off, or a cash grab," one reservist said.
"When I try to explain to them that if something big happens in the Pacific tomorrow, I might have to go frontline, they don't accept that."
Support for the part-time soldiers differed between industries, with managers in public administration, mining and healthcare sectors reporting a "significantly higher willingness" to support reservists' service.
Part of this is attributed to large numbers of reservists and veterans already working in these sectors.
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The mining industry was willing to support part-time soldiers on its payroll, the survey found. AAP
University of South Australia sociologist Brad West, one of the academics who led the survey, says some employers fail to recognise the value of military skills.
"One factor contributing to tensions in the less supportive workplaces was an incorrect perception among many managers that military skills were not useful in the civilian workplace," he said.
Despite the lack of support from managers, most reservists said they were motivated by a volunteer ethos and serving their country.
"It's not the money or the lifestyle but that fact that I am helping Australia's national interests and contributing to something larger than myself," said one interviewee.
The Australian Industry Group, the country's peak employers association, told 9news.com.au many businesses were facing major skills shortages.
"There is no doubt that all Australians highly regard those who serve in the military, either full time or as a reservist," AIG chief executive Innes Willox said.
"Australian businesses of all shapes and sizes are currently struggling with major skills and labour shortages at a time of a very tight labour market.
"Losing a skilled and valued worker, which Army reservists will inevitably be, is difficult for businesses to plan for and juggle.
"Running a business is not easy, especially when margins are tight and labour is difficult to replace. What reservists may feel as resentment may simply be exasperation from employers in these difficult economic times."
Willox says the survey reinforces the need for the Defence Department to work more closely with the employers of reservists to ensure they explain their military role, how the skills gained can boost the business and plan well ahead for workplace absences.
"Filling a communication gap, especially with smaller businesses, would be an invaluable step to making the reserves system work more smoothly for businesses, reservists and the military."
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