Only 18.6% of companies in Ukraine have veteran support programs — study

Despite the staffing shortage, most Ukrainian companies still do not have full-fledged programs for supporting and adapting veterans in the workplace. Such initiatives are already in place in only 18.6% of enterprises, while more than half of businesses have not implemented them at all.

This is evidenced by the results of a study by the GRC.UA human resources portal and analytical center.

According to the study, 51.2% of companies currently do not have veteran support programs. Another 30.2% of employers say that they are only planning to implement them.

Where are businesses most willing to accept veterans

The level of readiness of companies to reintegration of veterans varies significantly depending on the region.

The largest share of employers with relevant programs is recorded in Kyiv — 28.6%. In the west of Ukraine, the figure is 25%, in the east — 18.6%, and in the south — only 12.5%.

At the same time, it is in front-line regions that the need for adaptation of veterans may be especially urgent.

In which areas is the situation the best

The highest level of implementation of veteran programs is demonstrated by three areas: medicine and pharmaceuticals, the financial and banking sector, as well as heavy industry and energy.

In these industries, about 50% of companies have relevant programs.

At the same time, the situation is much worse in retail trade, construction and marketing, where the share of employers with implemented programs remains low.

How companies help veterans adapt

Among employers who are already working on the adaptation of veterans, the most common measure is the creation of an inclusive work environment. This includes both physical adaptation of the workspace and psychological adaptation of processes.

This approach is used by 19.8% of the surveyed companies.

Another 14% offer top-class medical insurance, and the same number conduct special training for managers and teams. 11.6% of companies provide sanatorium and resort treatment, and 7% pay for extended regular medical examinations.

More than half of companies do not monitor the psychological state of employees

A separate problem remains the psychological adaptation of veterans after returning to civilian work.

Only 30.2% of companies systematically monitor the emotional state of employees. At the same time, 53.5% of employers do not engage in such monitoring at all.

The highest indicator of systematic attention to the psychological state of employees is recorded in the east of Ukraine — 50%.

Thus, despite the shortage of personnel in the Ukrainian labor market, the systematic reintegration of veterans has not yet become a common practice for most employers.