As the full-scale war in Ukraine rages on, all the efforts of the government, business and citizens are aimed at supporting the defenders on the front line. At the same time, those returning from the front line, coming back to work and transitioning to civilian life also require assistance. Forbes Ukraine has collected stories of war veterans – employees of Ukrainian companies – who shared their experience, what determines the success of adaptation and what employers can do to help.
Among the published stories is that of Mykola Tkachenko. Before the full-scale war, the main worked as a control room operator in the hot rolling shop of Metinvest Group's Zaporizhstal iron and steel works. At the beginning of the invasion, he volunteered to fight and served in the 110th Separate Mechanised Brigade as a grenade launcher. After his injury and rehabilitation, he returned to work at the company.
– What was the most difficult thing about returning to work?
– No one ever returns from war completely. When you return from war you are a different person than the person that left.
Adaptation was really hard. There were dreams of throwing grenades, sleepless nights, irritability, and so on.
But my close ones helped me, did not give up on me, and stayed by my side along this difficult adaptation journey. My family helped me at home and my colleagues at work. They were doing the right thing: they never asked what was going on there. There is no God there. There is only death. Don't ask us if we killed people. There are no people there, it's just you and your enemy.
– Your advice for veterans returning to work.
– My advice for the lads would be: after returning, try to forget about the war as soon as possible. You return to civilian life and will encounter bureaucracy, injustice. You will for sure have PTSD. Keep a cool head, though. Life goes on. You survived there, so you must keep going here.
– What is your advice for employers?
– Don't push. Help, maybe, if the veteran wants, talk to them. Listen to them and ask for their point of view.
Read the full article on Forbes Ukraine's website. To learn more about the veteran reintegration programme at Metinvest Group's companies, read the interview with Tetiana PETRUK, Chief Sustainability Officer.
