Today, more and more Ukrainian companies are looking for answers to the question of how to support veterans after they return from the war. For DTEK Energy, this has long ceased to be theory and become everyday practice. More than 500 male and female veterans, out of the 5 thousand employees who have joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, work at the company’s enterprises. That is why the company is systematically developing approaches that help them adapt to civilian life and professional activity.
The company’s approaches to supporting veterans and creating a veteran-friendly environment were presented at the People & Business Summit conference in Dnipro by representatives of DTEK PAVLOHRADCOAL PrJSC – Andrii Chernetskyi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Andrii Kudriavtsev, Operational Improvement Manager, veteran and veterans’ coordinator.
“For us, supporting veterans has become part of our corporate culture. Our task is to help people find their place in the team again after returning from the war, adapt to work and feel the support of the team,” stresses Andrii Chernetskyi.
Veteran support at DTEK Energy is not limited to assistance when returning to work. The company is developing the institution of veterans’ coordinators, provides psychological, legal and medical assistance, and creates opportunities for training and retraining. It places a special focus on developing an inclusive environment at its enterprises, adapting workspaces and using the MOZHU (“I CAN”) tool, which helps people with disabilities find new opportunities for professional development, taking into account their experience and skills.
“A veteran’s return to the team does not end on the first working day. It is important for the person to feel part of the team again. This is fostered not only by work, but also by shared activities outside it: sports events, football tournaments, corporate competitions, volunteer initiatives. It is in such moments that connections between people are restored and a sense of support and belonging to the team is formed,” says Andrii Kudriavtsev.
At DTEK Energy, veteran support is an important part of the corporate culture and of the company’s responsibility to the employees who have stood up to defend Ukraine. The company continues to develop a comprehensive support system that helps veterans return to professional life, adapt to new conditions and find opportunities for further development.