Why you should care for the carers

Employees who balance paid work with a caring role at home present a special challenge to employers, as the caring role is not predictable in the same way as mainstream childcare. Equal Opportunities Review surveys its readers and reports on good practice.

A majority of Equal Opportunities Review readers responding to the survey report that their organisations have a policy covering employees with caring responsibilities, although the report's author, Kate Godwin, points out that this is not representative of UK employers as a whole.

The study reveals that EOR readers think there are tangible benefits to their business from introducing a carers' policy. As many as 89% of respondents say they are aware of the business case for attracting and retaining carers. Chief among these benefits is a reduction in absence, followed by improved staff commitment and better recruitment and retention of staff.

A respondent from The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea observes: 'Carers are not just experienced; they are loyal. People who are conscientious and reliable outside work as carers are going to have these traits in work too: by definition they are responsible people. They value their job too: it gives them the financial security they need as well as a much-needed balance to their caring role.'

  • Time to care? Carers policy survey    Writing in EOR, Kate Godwin presents the full survey findings, based on responses from 36 organisations, together employing more than 290,000 staff.

    Also

    Work and Families Bill published   The Government has confirmed measures to increase paternity and maternity leave with the publication of the Work and Families Bill. The Bill includes measures to extend the right to request flexible working to carers from April 2007

    Case study: Caring for carers in the civil service    The Department for Constitutional Affairs has reduced staff turnover and absence via award-winning measures to accommodate the needs of workers with caring responsibilities.

    Carers to get flexible working request rights   The Government has announced plans to extend the right to request flexible working to employees who care for sick or elderly relatives.

    Work and Families: Choice and Flexibility: Part one; Part two; Part three; and Case study    By Caroline Blackwood of Osborne Clarke, writing in XpertHR's topic of the week series on leading employment law issues.