Since 2003, in the region of 20,000 army reservists have been
mobilised with very few employment disputes being raised. The
Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 ("the
Act") is designed to protect reservist soldiers and ensure
that they should not be treated more or less favourably than other
employees. Except in 'limited circumstances' reservists
must, on their application, be taken into their former
employer's employment after a period of mobilisation, on terms
and conditions no less favourable than those they would have had,
had they not been mobilised.
It is possible for an employer to seek exemption from or
deferral of mobilisation if it will cause serious harm to their
business. If a reservist soldier is mobilised, the Ministry of
Defence will pay their wages from the date of mobilisation up to a
maximum of £200,000 and will cover the costs for finding a
replacement capped at a maximum of £110 per day. Reservists
must inform their employer or
