Support working carers

Working carers

Most people’s lives will include at least one episode of caring. According to the 2021 census, around 2.5 million people in England and Wales alone (excluding full-time students) are combining paid employment with caring for older, disabled or seriously ill family members or friends. Research from Carers UK has estimated that one in seven people in the workplace in the UK are juggling work and care.

Each year over 250,000 people give up work to care – the equivalent of 600 resignations per day. The consequent loss of skills, talent and productivity creates significant costs for employers.

For those remaining in the workforce, caring without adequate support can result in poorer mental health, higher risk of burnout and financial worries. Furthermore, recent research by Employers for Carers found that over 70% of working carers had felt lonely or isolated in the workplace due to caring responsibilities.

Business benefits of supporting carers

Employers need to support carers. Far from compromising business objectives, research shows that using a flexible working approach achieves impressive business results. This flexible approach:

Attracts and retains staff
Reduces stress
Reduces recruitment and training costs
Increases resilience and productivity
Reduces sick leave
Improves service delivery
Produces cost savings
Improves people management
Increases staff morale.

Free Support for businesses

South Tyneside Council has a membership with Employers for Carers.

It gives all small to medium-sized employers (up to 250 employees) and health partners of any size in South Tyneside access to a range of resources to help them to support and retain carers in the workforce.

This platform is aimed at HR, line managers, your employees, and anyone with a responsibility for supporting working carers.

To access the resources visit EFC Digital and use our unique access code EFC1953 to create an account for free.

Resources for employers and working carers

Staff with employee wellbeing responsibilities, such as HR teams and line managers can access a range of resources. These include case studies, model policies, FAQs, toolkits and essential guides. You will also have access to e-Learning modules including:

Supporting carers in your workplace – for line managers
Caring and work – an induction module designed to slot into your organisation’s induction programme.

Working carers are provided with access to a member platform which includes:

e-learning, factsheets, guides and tools to help carers understand their rights, identify support and look after their own health and wellbeing.
A care coordination app, this a mobile and online application created by carers for carers. Designed to make caring a little easier, less stressful and more organised, it combines group messaging with other useful features including to-do and medication lists, calendar and more.

Helpful tips from carers on how you can support them in the workplace

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?

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?

Consider training line managers about Carers’ needs and provide opportunities for the line managers to share their learning and experiences to support their staff. There is guidance, information and e-learning courses on the EfC platform for Carers and their managers.

You can signpost the carers in your organisation to South Tyneside Council’s website for information and advice from local and national organisations who can support carers in a variety of ways from financial support, practical support, access to counselling and one to one support, peer support and lots more. Go to www.southtyneside.gov.uk/carers