Who are working Carers?
A working Carer is someone in full or part-time employment, who also provides unpaid support, or who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their age, physical or mental illness, or disability.
Video link – Balancing work and caring
This is a short clip about people who are pleased that they have the opportunity to care and show how much love they have. It is a film about four ladies who, in addition to their working lives, take time out to care for a family member…it’s emotional.
A working Carer's view on how employers can help
Staff wellbeing, recognise it’s sometimes hard to manage work/life balance: juggling family life/ caring responsibilities and wanting to continue to do a good job at work can lead to emotional and physical stress. Provide support to line managers in supporting Carers within the team.
Encourage employees to identify themselves as Carers and provide an information pack to advise them of support available within the organisation and community.
Recognise the need to be flexible to allow time off to attend appointments – Do you operate flexible working so the Carer can attend appointments or caring duties during the working day and make up the time outside of normal working hours? Consider allowing additional time off as ‘Carers leave’.
Carers need to talk to people who can offer advice and personal experiences – Do you know your Carer employees? Can you provide opportunities for your Carer employees to meet and talk?
Help your Carer employee to identify opportunities to put structures/ routines in place to make their life easier and share the load (Consider training line managers about Carers’ needs and provide opportunities for the line managers to share their learning and experiences to support their staff. Consider developing a guidance/ information document for Carers and their managers.