The Employer Charter
Fair Opportunity. Real Commitment. Meaningful Change.
A voluntary commitment by employers to recognise talent, challenge unnecessary barriers & create fairer employment.
More than a signature.
Military spouses and partners bring experience, qualifications, ambition and potential to workplaces across the UK. Yet too often, their career histories are shaped by circumstances beyond their control.
Postings. Deployments. Relocations. Career interruptions. The practical realities of supporting someone who serves.
The Beyond the CV Employer Charter exists to encourage employers to look beyond those circumstances and recognise the individual behind the application. We aren't asking businesses to lower recruitment standards, guarantee employment or offer working arrangements they cannot realistically accommodate. We're asking them to consider whether their recruitment practices, workplace policies and assumptions might unintentionally exclude talented people.
Because fair opportunity isn't about giving someone an advantage. It's about making sure they aren't disadvantaged before they've even had the chance to demonstrate what they can do.
Signing the Charter is a voluntary commitment to that principle.
And we believe that commitment should lead to meaningful action, however small that first step might be.
Our Six Charter Commitments
Every organisation that signs the Beyond the CV Employer Charter agrees to support six principles. These commitments apply equally to Supporters, Champions and Gold Partners. What changes between the levels is the action taken and the impact demonstrated.
We don't expect perfection. We expect genuine commitment.
01
Fair Opportunity
Consider people on their individual merits, without assumptions based on military family circumstances.
02
Transferable Skills
Recognise relevant skills gained through employment, education, volunteering and life experience.
03
Military Life Awareness
Understand how postings, deployments and relocation may affect employment.
04
Practical Flexibility
Consider flexible arrangements where appropriate and commercially viable.
05
Career Development
Support fair access to training, progression and professional development.
06
Positive Change
Challenge unnecessary employment barriers and encourage fair opportunities.
What Does Each Level Mean?
Every organisation signing the Beyond the CV Employer Charter commits to our six shared principles. Our three recognition levels reflect the difference between making a commitment, putting that commitment into practice and demonstrating meaningful impact.
All three levels are completely free.
Organisations may apply directly for the level that reflects their existing work, provided they can demonstrate that they meet the relevant criteria.
Recognition is earned through commitment and action, not financial contributions.
SUPPORTER
We Commit.
For organisations taking their first step towards fairer employment opportunities for military spouses and partners.
Becoming a Beyond the CV Supporter demonstrates a genuine commitment to recognising talent, challenging assumptions and considering how your organisation can make a difference.
To become a Supporter, your organisation agrees to:
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Sign and uphold the six Beyond the CV Charter commitments.
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Consider military spouses and partners fairly, based on their individual skills, experience and suitability.
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Make relevant recruitment decision-makers aware of the Charter principles.
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Identify at least one practical action your organisation could take over the next 12 months.
What you'll receive
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An official Beyond the CV Supporter certificate.
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A unique Charter registration number.
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A digital Supporter badge for your website and communications.
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The opportunity to be listed in our employer directory.
No membership fees. No requirement to guarantee employment. Just a genuine commitment to fair opportunity.
CHAMPION
We Act.
For organisations that have moved beyond making a commitment and are taking practical steps to improve employment opportunities for military spouses and partners.
Becoming a Beyond the CV Champion recognises employers who are actively reviewing their practices, building awareness and making meaningful changes within their organisation.
To become a Champion, your organisation must:
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Meet all Supporter requirements.
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Review recruitment wording or processes to identify unnecessary barriers.
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Share relevant military family employment awareness guidance with managers or recruitment teams.
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Consider what flexible working arrangements may be practical and commercially viable.
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Provide at least one example of a meaningful action already taken.
What you'll receive
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An official Beyond the CV Champion certificate.
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A unique Charter registration number.
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A digital Champion badge for your website and communications.
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Recognition in our employer directory.
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The opportunity to share examples of good practice with the wider Beyond the CV community.
Champion recognition is about action, not promises. Employers must be able to demonstrate at least one practical step they have already taken.
GOLD PARTNER
We Demonstrate Impact.
For organisations demonstrating sustained commitment, meaningful action & positive change in employment opportunities for military spouses & partners.
Gold Partner is the highest level of recognition within the Beyond the CV Employer Charter.
It recognises organisations that have gone beyond making a commitment or introducing individual changes and can demonstrate how their actions are helping to remove unnecessary employment barriers.
Gold Partners lead by example, showing that fair recruitment, workplace understanding and commercial success can work together.
To become a Gold Partner, your organisation must:
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Meet all Supporter and Champion requirements.
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Demonstrate sustained action to improve employment opportunities for military spouses and partners.
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Provide examples of positive outcomes, such as improved recruitment practices, accessible career opportunities, employee development or the removal of unnecessary barriers.
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Demonstrate how the organisation has promoted awareness, shared good practice or encouraged positive change beyond its immediate recruitment activities.
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Commit to an annual review of its Charter activities and outcomes.
What you'll receive
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Everything above plus
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Enhanced recognition in our employer directory.
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Opportunities to contribute to employer case studies, awareness initiatives and Beyond the CV events.
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Recognition as an organisation demonstrating meaningful commitment to fair employment opportunities.
Gold Partner recognition is earned through evidence of action and impact, not financial contributions, the number of military spouses employed or the size of the organisation.
We recognise that meaningful change looks different in every workplace. A small business can demonstrate just as much commitment and impact as a national employer.
It's not about how much you can do. It's about the difference your actions make.
01
Choose Your Level
Explore Supporter, Champion and Gold Partner. Apply directly for the level that reflects your organisation's existing commitment and actions.
02
Download the Charter Pack
Download our free, fillable Employer Charter Application Pack. You can complete it on your computer and email it back to us
03
Share Your Evidence
Supporters make a commitment. Champion and Gold Partner applicants provide proportionate examples of the actions and impact they can demonstrate.
04
We Review Your Application
The Beyond the CV team considers your application against the relevant criteria. We may contact you for clarification or further information
05
Receive Your Recognition
Once approved, you'll receive your certificate, unique Charter number and digital badge, with the option to appear in our employer directory.
06
Keep Making a Difference
Recognition is reviewed annually. We'll ask you to confirm your ongoing commitment and, where relevant, share examples of progress.
A Charter built on trust, fairness and accountability.
There is no fee to apply or participate, and no requirement to recruit a particular number of military spouses or partners. Recognition is based on the criteria for each level. It is not independent accreditation or a guarantee of an employer's wider employment practices.
We reserve the right to review or withdraw recognition where commitments are not upheld or information has been misrepresented.
Change Doesn't Happen
by Accident.
It happens when someone decides to do things differently.
When an employer looks beyond a gap in a CV. When a recruiting manager recognises potential instead of making assumptions. When a business decides that supporting military families isn't just something to talk about, but something to act upon. We know that not every organisation can offer the same opportunities. And we're not asking them to. We're asking them to start somewhere.
Because behind every application is a person with skills, experience, ambition and a life that may have taken a different path.
You don't have to change everything. But you could change something for someone.
Join us in making that difference.
Completely free. Open to organisations of every size. Complete your application and return it to hello@btcv.co.uk.