Supporting veterans in the workplace is not just about corporate social responsibility, but also about businesses’ willingness to create an environment where people can return to work with understanding and support. Today, this issue is becoming critical, as forecasts indicate that by September 2025, the number of combatants in Ukraine could reach 1.6 million. At the same time, statistics show that only about 50% of veterans return to their previous jobs.
At the HR Forum in Lviv, Khrystyna Dolna, Operations Director of the UCU Business School, and Andriy Kaspshyshak, Head of the UCU Office for Veterans and Their Families, led a workshop titled “Corporate Policies for Supporting Veterans and Their Families.” This initiative is a logical continuation of the strategic focus of the UCU Business School and the Ukrainian Catholic University—working with veterans and their family members.
Together with workshop participants, they discussed what such policies might look like in real companies. During the workshop, teams worked in groups to develop their own solutions, share experiences, and discuss key elements of support, including interacting with mobilized employees and their families, reintegrating veterans into teams, and policies on remembrance, recruitment, and adapting the work environment.
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the principle: “Nothing about veterans without veterans.” That is why it is important to involve the veterans themselves in the development of corporate policies. This helps overcome real barriers, as research shows that veterans often face issues with inadequate pay (37.3%), health problems (36.3%), and mental and emotional well-being (25.5%) when seeking employment.
In addition, representatives from the UCU Business School shared the initial findings of the study “How Does Ukrainian Business Interact with Veterans?”, conducted in partnership with the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund. The study’s data confirms that business is only just beginning its journey toward systemic change: currently, only 7.7% of surveyed companies have a ready policy for interacting with veterans. Another 13% are developing one, but over 40% of organizations have not even considered implementing such internal protocols.
The study aims to help businesses better understand the real-world experience of hiring and integrating veterans in small and medium-sized enterprises: which practices are already working, what tools companies lack, and how to build partnerships that take into account the needs of both businesses and veterans.
The official presentation of the study’s results will take place on May 27 at the UCU campus. Follow our social media channels so you don’t miss the announcement.
We would like to thank all participants for their openness and willingness to seek solutions that will help Ukrainian companies become truly supportive of our defenders and their families. Together, we are shaping a new paradigm of cooperation that strengthens Ukraine’s economic resilience
