Workplace support for working parents has transformed in the last decade; the same paradigm shift in attitude must now be adopted for carers of older, seriously ill and disabled loved ones, writes Madeleine Starr, Director of Business Development and Innovation with charity Carers UK.
Look at any statistics and read a myriad reports on the subject and one thing is abundantly clear the number of employees with caring responsibilities is set to grow higher. Supporting employees with care responsibilities through the workplace is not only a critical social issue, it makes sound business sense. Whether through old age, serious illness or disability the needs of a loved one can transform an employee’s life overnight. Even where support begins with just a few hours of housework, medical appointments or managing finances, it can suddenly creep up and become difficult to manage – especially, as is so frequently the case nowadays, if you are caring for someone at the opposite end of a motorway. Withoutthe right support, the strain of caring and working, often alongside raising children, can force employees with valuable experience and skill out of the workforce.
Our research earlier this year found that, at some point, 2.3million have given up work and 3 million reduced working hours to care. Already one in seven in any workplace will be juggling work and care, and with our ageing population that number is set to increase. What does this mean for employers? Put simply, NOT supporting carers in the workplace means a drain on talent and experience, increased recruitment costs and lost productivity. Caring responsibilities reach their peak at age 45 plus, when many employees have gained valuable skills and experience. Employers face losing key talent and staff in whom they have already invested heavily. Evidence also suggests carers are at risk of ill health and stress if unsupported, so addressing staff resilience, as well as staff retention, is critical for businesses. And it is not just carers that need support. Managers need to be aware of the issues working carers face and will themselves experience some challenges in balancing the needs of the business with those of the carer and other members of their teams. Conversely, employers who DO address the need to support the carers are increasingly identifying the business benefits of reduced absence and improved staff retention, performance and results.
What should employers do?Flexible working and leave arrangements are top of the list. These can range from (or include any of): flexi-time, staggered hours, part time working, home working, annualised hours, compressed hours, flexible holidays or career breaks. Often relatively simple flexibilities and adjustments can really help to make a difference for carers in the workplace. Emergency leave can be critically important to carers if a loved one is suddenly taken ill or if care arrangements break down. Other types of leave arrangements which can support carers are planned leave, special (carers) leave and compassionate leave. In-house support –staff support networks, employee assistance (or other welfare) programmes and employee health and wellbeing initiatives are really valued by carers. Little things can make a big difference – Simple adjustments such as access to a private telephone or car parking close to the workplace can also help to make life easier for carers.
Make caring a visible issue – Employees need to know that it is ‘okay to talk about caring’ and to tell their employers about their family responsibilities. Awareness raising activities, publicising policies on the intranet, identifying champions in the workplace can all play a key part in helping employees identify themselves as carers and come forward for support. Employer networks – Employers can benefit from sharing knowledge through membership of business forums. Carers UK’s business forum Employers for Carers (EfC) evolved from a group of pioneering employers committed to working carers. Chaired by British Gas MD of Residential Energy Ian Peters and supported by Carers UK’s specialist knowledge EfC’s priority is ensuring employers have practical help to identify the needs of carers in the workplace, to outline the business case for their support and to provide practical and sustainable ways to support them and their managers.
For advice and information on caring visit carersuk.org or ring 0808 808 7777
0808 808 7777. June 9th – 15th is national Carers Week – find out what is happening near you or pledge support to help carers at carersweek.org
Madeleine Starr, Director of Business Development and Innovation
Carers UK
