The UK’s Carer’s Leave Act allows just one week of unpaid leave, falling behind many European nations with more generous policies. Sweden leads with 100 days at 80% pay, while Italy ranks in second place with a highly flexible approach to eldercare support in the workplace, offering three days of paid leave a month. Germany (ranking in 6th place) takes a balanced approach, offering 10 days of paid leave and up to six months unpaid for long-term care.
European Countries Ranked by Support for Carers as Demand for Eldercare Grows:
Seniorcare by Lottie analysed carer leave policies across Europe, finding that while the EU mandates a minimum of five days of unpaid leave, many EU countries go beyond this requirement.
1. Sweden: Offers the most generous policy, with up to 100 days of leave at 80% pay.
2. Italy: Provides a highly flexible approach, allowing up to three days of paid leave per month to support employees in regularly caring for elderly loved ones.
3. Netherlands: Offers leave based on an employee’s contracted hours, allowing double the number of hours worked a week at 70% pay.
4. Ireland: Provides a flexible carer’s leave policy ranging from 13 weeks to 104 weeks per year. While unpaid, this extended period allows employees to manage caregiving responsibilities effectively.
5. Bulgaria: Offers 10 days of paid leave, ensuring financial stability for carers needing time off.
6. Germany: Allows up to 10 days of paid leave. However, those with longer-term care commitments are entitled to up to six months of unpaid leave.
7. Denmark: Allows up to six months of unpaid leave annually, giving carers flexibility in managing work and caregiving duties.
8. Austria & France: Both countries offer up to three months of unpaid leave to help employees balance work and caregiving.
9. Spain and Serbia: Each country provides five days of paid leave per year, which is beyond the EU minimum.
10. UK: The UK allows up to one week of unpaid leave, reflecting an employee’s contracted days. For example, a three-day leave carers allowance if an employee is contracted to a three-day working week.
11. Poland, Greece, Belgium & Finland: These countries offer the EU minimum of five days of unpaid leave. The UK allows up to one week of unpaid leave, aligning with this standard.
“The UK’s Carers Leave Act has made it law to offer all employees up to 7 working days of unpaid leave to provide care for a loved one and has been a stepping stone in recognising the key role informal carers play in society”, shares Elliott Winter, Commercial Lead at Seniorcare By Lottie.
“While the UK has made progress in supporting informal carers in the workplace, our analysis shows there is still lots to learn from other European countries, especially when it comes to generous and flexible carers leave policies, particularly in terms of paid leave. With an ageing population, more employees are now balancing work with caring for elderly dependents rather than children, making it more important than ever before for employers to provide meaningful support for informal carers in the workplace. Looking to neighbouring EU countries, we can learn valuable lessons in flexibility, longer-term commitment and financial support that can progress the way we approach carers to leave here in the UK.” concludes Winter.
With an ageing population and increased demand for care, informal carers are on the rise. However, despite this, many countries across Europe are falling behind in offering appropriate support, including the UK.
As an employer, there are lots of practical steps you can take to offer enhanced support for employees juggling work and care commitments that go beyond the UK standard legislation of one-week unpaid leave to better support employees in the workplace.
Five Practical Ways To Enhance Support For Informal Carers In Your Workplace, Insights from Elliott Winter, Commercial Lead at Seniorcare by Lottie:
1. Offer A Clear Carers Policy
It’s important to go beyond the minimum requirements of UK legislation and proactively develop a clear, carers policy that works for both your business and employees.
A dedicated carers’ policy within your HR guidelines can outline the support your business offers, such as flexible working arrangements, guidance on career breaks, mental health resources, and additional leave options. By taking this step, you’ll create a more supportive and adaptive workplace for employees balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
2. Flexible Working
Flexibility in working patterns can help those employees with caregiving responsibilities to feel supported in balancing their work commitments and care responsibilities. For example, incorporating hybrid working, or flexi-time options can offer informal carers greater flexibility to manage their time.
3. Create A Workplace Carer Support Network
Being an unpaid carer can sometimes feel isolating, especially when juggling lots of commitments, so it’s important to be able to lean on a support network.
Through being proactive and creating a carers support group at your workplace you can help caregivers to feel supported and connected to others in similar situations. Support groups can also help in sharing valuable tips and techniques to manage caregiving responsibilities from other carers.
Similarly, there are lots of support groups for carers available across the UK, including Carers UK and Age UK. Sharing local support groups in your area can help caregivers to find a valuable support network.
4. Offer Manager Training
To enhance the support, you offer to carers it’s important all managers are trained and correctly informed on the best steps to support an informal carer. As well as being aware of all the available resources to signpost to their team.
5. Offer Practical Support In Finding Care
Finding care for a loved one can be daunting, but with the right support and guidance, navigating the process to find the best care option for an elderly relative can feel less overwhelming.
You may find it helpful to share any local care homes, or at home help services in the area, in a shared community space.
Alternatively, more businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits surrounding eldercare benefits.
Guide provided by Seniorcare by Lottie
