Organisations need to work with their carers to give them the support they need, now more than ever...
Claire McCartney explores the challenges working carers face and what employers, and government, can do to support them in the workplace
Claire McCartney explores the challenges working carers face and what employers, and government, can do to support them in the workplace
With an estimated 3.7 million carers in England and Wales, a growing number of people are having to juggle their jobs with caring responsibilities. A carer is someone who helps or looks after a family member or friend who needs care and support as a result of old age, physical illness, disability, mental health problems or addiction.
Last week, we launched compelling research with the University of Sheffield, examining how working carers combine their caring responsibilities with paid employment, and the difference employers can make by supporting them.
We also launched practical guidance to help organisations put in place proper, sustained support for working carers going forward.
While these findings are based on UK data, the broader trends and implications should be of interest wherever you are based.
The demands faced by carers have become even more acute with the ongoing impact of the coronavirus on society. Now, more than ever, organisations need to be aware of carers' concerns, and as supportive and flexible as they can be during a period of stress and uncertainty.
Yet the situation also presents an opportunity for employers, many of whom might have had their first discussions with employees about the vulnerable members of their household, or those who might be dependent on them for care. Employers can, for the first time, gain an understanding of just how many of their employees have caring responsibilities and provide the support they need.
Our research shows the real challenges of balancing work and care:
If you would like to explore these options in more detail, do take a look at our practical guidance to help organisations put in place proper, sustained support for working carers going forward.
Finally, the Government is consulting on unpaid leave for working carers, but we are calling for the introduction of an annual entitlement to five days statutory paid carers' leave. We will be responding to the consultation, but we encourage you to do so as well, and to echo our call for five days paid leave if you agree with us.
In our research with Sheffield University, fewer than on in ten (9%) working carers said that paid leave to fulfil caring responsibilities was available to them, despite this being the form of support most desired.
Worryingly, 46% of carers had used their own annual leave to provide care, suggesting that some may be missing out on the therapeutic benefits annual leave can provide, putting them at greater risk of burnout.
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Claire specialises in the areas of equality, diversity and inclusion, flexible working, resourcing and talent management. She has also conducted research into meaning and trust at work, age diversity, workplace carers and enterprise and has worked on a number of international projects. She is the author of several reports and articles and regularly presents at seminars and conferences.
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