Tri-Service
Employers "Discriminate" Against Military Spouses
The partners of those serving in the military are discriminated against by employers, according to a new report.
The spouses are seen as unreliable and transient, which leaves them struggling to find work.
The report by the Centre for Social Justice says this can lead to them being bored and frustrated, often triggering a breakdown of the couple’s marriage.
It says having to move frequently, limited employment opportunities on bases and the lack of available training courses are other reasons for the poor employment prospects and argues the Ministry of Defence should invest in military personnel’s husbands and wives.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice, Phillippa Stroud, said:
“It is totally unacceptable that spouses who already have to endure the anguish of seeing their loved-ones risk their lives also have their own life chances diminished. It is vital for the wellbeing of military spouses and that of their families to tackle the causes of their blighted job prospects."
The report recommends that the government introduces legislation to make it illegal for employers to ask someone applying for a job if they’re married to someone in the Armed Forces.
It also calls on the MoD to help all forces members and their spouses to achieve an A* to C grade in GCSE English and maths.
Ray Lock, the chief executive of Forces Mind Trust, who co-authored the report, said:
“The spouse of a serviceman or woman is often the lynchpin in their lives, keeping their families together and providing them with critical emotional support.”
“Previous work by Forces in Mind Trust has demonstrated a clear linkage between a stable, resilient and economically prepared family and the likelihood that the Service leaver from that family will successfully transition into civilian life.”
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