"According to expert studies, transitioning from military to civilian life can take up to 2-3 years. Last week, the SILab Ukraine team, together with partners, hosted a webinar on veterans' reintegration into civilian life and professional activities. We brought together international and Ukrainian experts to share recommendations for companies looking to create more veteran-friendly employment practices."
Denis Nielsen, a veteran of the Danish Armed Forces with 20 years of experience, shared his journey of transforming from a military to a civilian professional. His main advice was to bring veterans together in groups where they can find the same sense of brotherhood they experienced during their service. The closer the conditions resemble those they were used to, the better veterans will perform their tasks. Vitalijs Dubovs, a veteran from Latvia, recommended creating interest-based clubs and implementing peer-to-peer support principles to help veterans connect and share their experiences.
Iryna Haluzinska, manager of Praktyka, highlighted the importance of using the 'Veterans' Journey' study developed by Veteran Hub. This guide helps companies better understand veterans' needs and expectations, recognize the challenges they face, and, most importantly, honor their experiences.
Marіia Ksondzik, co-founder of the veteran auto hub NESEMOS, believes that working on your attitude toward veterans can be done with the help of a psychotherapist. She shared her mistakes when communicating with veterans and advised participants to avoid heroizing or overprotecting them, as it harms effective interaction. Dmytro Kolosiuk, HR manager at the "Come Back Alive" foundation, also noted that veterans have gained intense emotional experiences, and our task is to help them reflect on these experiences, recover, and find new meanings.
What should you remember when working with veterans?
Be people-centered. The transition from military to civilian life is not just about a new job but also a new mindset. Respect veterans, learn to listen actively, and be flexible in your cooperation. Even in civilian roles, veterans may continue to communicate with each other using their previous ranks—support this as a way to strengthen team bonds.
Create communities within the company. Unite veterans to work in groups and create shared value. Encourage them to join or create their communities—like running or motorcycle clubs—where they can find like-minded people and support one another. This way, their loyalty and trust in the organization will also grow.
Support families. Do not forget about veterans' families. Create policies that recognize and support their role. A veteran's inner strength often starts with support at home.
Foster a sense of belonging. For veterans, the feeling of belonging and brotherhood is crucial. Make them part of the mission, not just employees, so they will become dedicated team players.
Look beyond the job description. If you meet someone whose values and personality resonate with you, try to find a role that matches their skills.
Avoid both sacralizing and discriminating against veterans. They should have the same rights and opportunities as other employees. The terms of engagement should be as transparent as possible for everyone.
Thank you to the speakers and everyone who joined this important conversation. Let’s do everything we can to ensure our veterans always feel valued!
The webinar was organized by SILab Ukraine and the Ukrainian Social Venture Fund in partnership with NewDoor - International Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator, within the IMPULSS project with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. #DevelopmentCooperation
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