Your Employment Rights

If you have a physical injury, PTSD, hearing loss, or other condition arising from service that has a substantial and long-term effect on day-to-day activities, it is likely to qualify as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer is legally required to make reasonable adjustments once they know (or could reasonably be expected to know).

If a service-related condition affects how you do your job, Access to Work can fund specialist equipment, travel support, job coaches or workplace adaptations. Small employers and many new starters often face little or no cost; larger employers may contribute to some items.

From day one of employment you can request flexible working (hours, location, pattern). Your employer must deal with the request reasonably and can only refuse on specified business grounds.

After two years' continuous employment you cannot be fairly dismissed without a valid reason and a fair procedure. Dismissal because of a service-related disability may also be discrimination from day one.

CTP provides free CV support, interview coaching, workshops and job finding for service leavers. Support is typically available around discharge and for a period after leaving, with medical discharge pathways also covered.

Independent mentoring, coaching and access to veteran-friendly employers help many veterans translate military skills into civilian roles.

Many Civil Service departments offer guaranteed interview schemes or preferential routes for veterans who meet minimum criteria for advertised roles.

Disability Confident employers commit to inclusive recruitment. Combined with Equality Act rights, this can open guaranteed interview routes for disabled applicants, including many injured veterans.

Eligible veterans can apply for the HM Armed Forces Veteran badge and GOV.UK digital veteran recognition. Use these to prove veteran status when accessing services, discounts and employer schemes.

You can request service records and discharge documentation to prove service for housing, benefits, employment and badges. Keep copies of your Certificate of Service / discharge papers safe.