What does this mean for carers at work?
It’s estimated that there are currently 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK. And this makes up a significant proportion of the UK workforce, with around one in nine working people, caring for someone else. Yet, not everyone with caring responsibilities identifies themselves as a carer, so this number could actually be a lot higher.
Research shows that over half of unpaid carers (57%) feel that their caring responsibilities negatively affect their wellbeing[1]. This has huge impacts on the workplace, where working carers who feel their wellbeing is affected, can’t perform at their best.
It can be hard for working carers to find the guidance and emotional support they need. Indeed, 71% of carers report feelings of isolation and loneliness in the workplaces[2]. But employers are well-positioned to support working carers, helping to positively impact the individual and the business. Here are three ideas to help you support carers in the workplace:
1. Employee assistance programmes
Offer an employee assistance programme (EAP) that provides access to advice and counselling services. This allows employees to speak confidentially to a trained counsellor. EAPs are an invaluable source of support for working carers, who could be struggling with a mental health concern, or are seeking information on a care-related issue. Many of these services are available on a 24/7 basis, so busy carers can reach help at a convenient time.
2. Support groups
Consider setting up an online support group, or employee network, for working carers in your organisation. Enabling carers to get together whilst working away from the workplace, share their advice for balancing caring and working responsibilities, or simply talk about their experiences with people in the same boat, can be very supportive.
3. Flexible working
Remind carers in your workforce how to request flexible working, if they need it, and what the options are. Adjustments to working patterns, such as remote working, reduced hours, or flexitime allow carers to structure their working day around a particular caring routine.
Caring is a huge responsibility and its effects on wellbeing shouldn’t be underestimated by employers. Providing support for working carers doesn’t need to be difficult; these methods are probably already part of your wellbeing strategy and will help carers in your workplace better manage their work alongside caring for their loved ones.
1. Key facts about carers and the people they care for, Carers Trust, available at https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/press-releases/facts-and-figures
2. Simplyhealth/YouGov Everyday Health Tracker, Sep 2017. A nationally representative sample of 1,974 UK adults aged 18+. Fulltime workers: 768. Respondents aged 75 and over: 63