In the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace, ensuring that veterans have access to tailored mental health support matters profoundly. Their journey doesn’t end with their military service; it’s just the beginning of a new chapter. Recognizing this, Give an Hour, a national non-profit organization dedicated to transforming mental health, has embarked on a remarkable journey to develop and introduce the Veteran Workforce Toolkit. This toolkit has the potential to transform workplaces, bridge gaps, and empower veterans as a core Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) group within organizations.
Supported by Industry Titans
Supported by well-known organizations including the University of Phoenix; Amazon; Booz Allen; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Hiring our Heroes; CVS Health; Magellan Federal; Transcend; and the VFW, the Veteran Workforce Toolkit offers a comprehensive roadmap for improving workplace culture and supporting veterans. It’s not just about doing what’s right; it’s about making sound business decisions. The value that veterans bring to the workplace is undeniable. Their unwavering dedication, exceptional skills, and unique perspectives enrich organizations across the country.
One of the key messages highlighted by Dr. Trina Clayeux, CEO of Give an Hour, is that veterans’ journeys continue beyond their military service. Their experiences, challenges, and unique qualities don’t cease when they enter the civilian workforce. It’s not just their battle; it’s our collective opportunity to stand by them and ensure they have the community necessary for continued growth and well-being.
Empowering Leaders
The Veteran Workforce Toolkit is designed to empower leaders within organizations to positively influence the veteran experience. It’s a transformative resource that broadens the talent pool with highly skilled veterans, lowers recruitment and training expenses, and enhances team dynamics and problem-solving. Furthermore, it contributes to improved organizational culture and morale, service quality, customer relationships, and public perception and reputation.
The toolkit isn’t just a collection of documents; it’s a powerful resource that provides practical solutions for success. It includes tools and surveys to assess and improve workplace culture, a roadmap to guide organizations every step of the way, and expertly curated examples, scripts, resources, and more. These elements are strategically designed to create workplaces where every veteran—and every employee—feels valued, understood, and equipped to succeed.
The effectiveness of the Veteran Workforce Toolkit is underscored by its comprehensive approach. It comprises key sections, such as understanding the business case for supporting veterans, enhancing workplace mental health through empathetic and resilience-driven leadership, and recognizing the skills essential for veterans to excel in their roles. It also addresses the recruitment and retention of veterans as a DEI group, the importance of mental health care, and understanding why veterans and others may not be utilizing available mental health support.
Moreover, it provides insights and strategies to enrich the experience for veteran employees, acknowledging that these individuals bring unique skills and experiences to the workplace. By understanding the upskilling needs of veterans, organizations can tailor their responses to benefit all employees, leading to higher retention rates and a more inclusive environment.
Honoring Veterans
The toolkit is set to have a soft launch on November 11, 2023, aligning with Veterans Day, and it will be available to organizations seeking to improve their veteran employee experience. The journey of the Veteran Workforce Toolkit is a testament to the commitment of Give an Hour and its supporting organizations to empower veterans and create more inclusive workplaces.
The Veteran Workforce Toolkit is a powerful initiative that has the potential to transform workplace cultures and empower veterans. It recognizes the value of veterans in the workforce, and it provides organizations with the tools and strategies to create more inclusive, supportive, and successful environments. Together, we can stand by our veterans and ensure that their journeys continue with growth and well-being in the civilian workforce.
For more information please visit: www.giveanhour.org/veteranworkforce/
Ryan Young
Marketing and Social Media Manager
