New research shows carer-friendly employers better prepared to meet changing needs of their workforce during Covid-19 pandemic

A new report published by Carers UK shows that employers with established policies in place to support staff with caring responsibilities have been better able to meet the changing needs of their workforce during the pandemic.

A survey of 114 members of the charity’s Employers for Carers (EfC) business forum found the vast majority have been able to support their staff with caring responsibilities for older, disabled or ill relatives through the pandemic.

What does the survey show?  

• Employers with established support for staff with caring responsibilities have been better able to meet the changing needs of their workforce during the pandemic.
• Nine out of ten members (90%) have put in additional arrangements to support carers’ health and wellbeing during the pandemic.
• Three quarters (75%) offered additional flexible working arrangements for carers, while half (50%) offered carer’s leave or special leave to help staff manage their caring responsibilities.
• 61% offered different arrangements for staff caring for someone in the shielded category.
• More conversations have been taking place with line managers about family responsibilities as a result of COVID-19.

What does this mean?

• With carers unable to access their usual support from care services, the flexibility provided by some employers has been essential to enable carers to remain in work.
  
• With a huge swathe of people now juggling work and care, it is vital that all employers take note of the importance of supporting working carers and that arrangements implemented during the pandemic remain established good practice.
• This research provides excellent evidence that the need to introduce a right to carer’s leave is not only desirable, but very possible for employers to implement.

To read more and download the report, click here.