Our commitment to veterans

One of the first initiatives implemented by the Thales Australia Veterans Committee was to lift Paid Reserve Leave provisions to 30 days; a best in industry standard. While the broader organisation has always been wholly supportive of ADF reservists, this policy formalises allowances to ensure that ‘leave balances’ are the least of people’s concerns. 

“This was one of the committees first steps in ensuring reservists have the leave they need. Additionally, all Managers are aware of the leave provision, as well as additional requirements, so if more leave is needed – it’s just an easy chat with your manager.” Nick de Bont – Chief Security Officer and Chair of Thales Australia Veterans Committee

Thales Australia is a top employer of veterans in defence industry with over 13% of our current workforce having served, or continuing to serve, in the military. The nature of Thales’s work means we have an intimate understanding of not only the challenges, environment, and requirements of the defence force, but how that can translate into the civilian world. Given this rich understanding, and our desire to help veterans continue that culture of contribution, Thales Australia has established a Veterans Mentoring Program. The aim of this program is to support employees with the transition from defence, as well as helping to navigate areas such as skills development, career progression and utilisation of those ever important ‘soft skills’ honed through military service.

Each one of us has diverse needs, triggers, influences and, on occasion, unforeseen experiences or life changes. The Thales Australia Veterans Committee, with the support of Executive Sponsorship, endorsed a range of measures specific to the veteran’s community to be integrated with our Employee Assistance Program, meaning that assistance is individualised, specific and considers the unique needs of this community.

Across our sites, and in the organisation as a whole, we take pride in honouring veterans and their families. These initiatives include: commemorative activities, educational seminars, attending offsite events and participation in fundraising activities.

However, a seemingly ‘small’ in terms of scale, but largely impactful initiative is the Thales Australia Veteran Pin. This pin is presented to all veterans in our community through a special event to signal that the mateship, comradery and sense of belonging that may feel ‘lost’ to those who have newly, or even perhaps not so newly, transitioned, is very much still a part of the Thales culture.

The Thales Australia veteran’s portal serves as a repository of all-important information relevant to veterans’ employees at Thales including: an overview of veterans committee members, commemorative events, points of contact, counselling services and not for profit charities that Thales Australia supports.  It’s the ‘single source of truth’ for the veteran’s community where all members can stay in touch, reach out, and obtain any information they need.

As a veteran working at Thales Australia, you also join a community of veterans across the globe. With strong ties to the community in the United Kingdom and France, there are opportunities to extend your network not just locally, but further afield. The veteran’s committees from the three nations meet (virtually of course) on a semi regular basis to discuss a range of topics, and also just to continue that sense of community and comradery.

Thales Australia has joined the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Employment Commitment; demonstrating our continued dedication to providing employment opportunities and support to veterans and their families. As a recognised Veteran Employer of Choice, we honour and empower veterans as they transition into civilian life.

Since 2008, Thales Australia has been a proud supporter of Legacy; one of Australia's oldest charitable institutions dedicated to caring for families of Australia’s war veterans. We are honoured to be involved in the care, compassion and support provided by Legacy to those we trust to keep us and our nation safe.

Thales is a Gold Sponsor of the Clearance Diver (CD) Trust providing relief from hardship for CDs and their beneficiaries and programs aimed at preventing CDs from getting into hardship.

Thales is strongly committed to the ongoing employment of Veteran’s and has signed the Platinum Pledge with Soldier On, which is designed to provide employment pathways for veterans and their families transitioning from the Australian Defence Force into civilian life.