We received the “Supporter of National Defence” recognition!

For Grant Thornton Baltic, it is important to contribute to strengthening Estonia’s defence capability both through practical actions and a statesmanlike attitude. We are pleased to see our contribution acknowledged – this year we received the “Supporter of National Defence” recognition from the Ministry of Defence.

Estonia’s national defence relies on reservists. For reservists to train and be prepared to defend the country, they must be able to participate in training exercises. By law, employers must allow reservists working for them to attend training assemblies, but whether to maintain their income during this period is left to the decision of companies and organisations themselves. Employers can thus make a significant contribution by supporting the participation of their reservists in training exercises.

To highlight the most outstanding companies and organisations contributing to national defence, the Ministry of Defence began awarding the “Supporter of National Defence” recognition in 2023. This year, the recognition was given in four categories: gold, silver, bronze, and special award. In total, 517 Estonian employers received the title: 3 received a special award, 10 received gold, 100 received silver and 404 received bronze. Grant Thornton Baltic received the bronze level, which is awarded to employers who support participation in training exercises either by maintaining full salary, providing additional pay/paid leave, or compensating the difference between the salary and the state training allowance.

“Enabling participation in training assemblies and maintaining salary during exercises is, for us, an important way to support Estonia’s security and thus enhance the sense of safety among the people of Estonia,” affirmed Grant Thornton Baltic’s managing partner and sworn auditor, Mati Nõmmiste. “We have always managed to organise work so that, despite colleagues’ absence, nothing is left undone – because team members help each other,” Nõmmiste described.

“In national defence, there can be no attitude of ‘let someone else do it.’ This is why every individual and every employer needs to consider what they can do and then turn those thoughts into action. For employers, supporting employees’ participation in training assemblies is a highly valuable and accessible way to contribute to our country’s defence,” Nõmmiste added.