Fibre ISP Zzoomm Get Silver ERS Award as Forces-Friendly Employer

Broadband ISP Zzoomm, which is busy building a new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to reach 1 million UK premises in 85 towns by the end of 2025, has been awarded the Silver ERS (Employment Recognition Scheme) award on National Reserves Day 2022 to recognise them as a forces-friendly (army etc.) employer.

At present, the operator already employs 47 veterans, reservists and/or family members of the armed forces (around 10% of their total workforce). The business already held a Bronze ERS award as a forces-friendly employer, which means they support serving personnel and their families, Service Leavers, Veterans and Cadet Forces through employment etc.

However, in order to achieve the Silver ERS award, Zzoomm had to implement an Armed Forces Policy that includes various things, such as offering an additional five days of paid leave to Reserves and Cadet Force Adult Volunteer employees. The provider has also had to establish an Armed Forces Network to support employees who are Reservists, Veterans and spouses/partners, among various other changes.

Matthew Hare, Zzoomm’s CEO, said:

“I am very proud that after some eight months [since the Bronze ERS award] we have achieved this recognition. We will continue to welcome and support Zzoommers from a military background and those who want to continue in the reservists. They are all a key part of the rapidly expanding Zzoommer community.”

A number of other operators, such as CityFibre and Openreach, have also been strong on recruiting new engineers and other staff from the armed forces.