November 23, 2023 - 443 views
A new report by Carers Wales and Carers UK shows that caring commitments for relatives or friends who are older, disabled or seriously ill are having a significant impact on people’s capacity to work and earn a full time wage.
The ONS Census 2021 found that in Wales, there are over 144,000 unpaid carers in employment (excluding full time students). Carers Wales research in 2019 found that the number of unpaid carers combining caring with paid employment could be as high as 223,000 people in Wales; 1 in 7 of all workers.
Caring increases the risks of poorer health and wellbeing, poverty and impacts on businesses and the economy. For Carers Rights Day, Carers Wales is highlighting new UK-wide legislation set to give carers further support and
protection in the workplace.
The Carer’s Leave Act, coming into force in April 2024 at the earliest, will give carers the right to take up to five days of unpaid carer’s leave. A new Flexible Working Act, due to come into effect in 2024, will also give employees the right to ask their employer for flexible working from day one of their employment.
Claire Morgan, Director at Carers Wales, said: “Many carers would prefer to stay in work, but face the impossible choice of having to juggle work with caring responsibilities in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis which is already
disproportionately impacting on unpaid carers.
“Not only is there a moral case for employers to support their staff with caring responsibilities, but there is a business case as well. Businesses that we work with via our Employers for Carers service have seen reduced recruitment costs and improved staff morale and wellbeing, having introduced carer confident policies.
“Unpaid carers play a vital role in our society, at Carers Wales we want to see more employers in Wales go further to support staff with caring responsibilities. Carers Wales stands ready to support them to do this.”
Employers can make a valuable difference when it comes to retaining carers in employment and supporting unpaid carers to return to work.
74% of carers said that flexible working helps them to juggle work and care.
70% of carers said that working from home some of the time would help them.
56% of carers said that recognition of their caring role by their employer would support them in balancing work and care.
The report sets out recommendations for the UK Government, Welsh Government and employers in Wales to improve carers rights today, tomorrow and in the future, such as:
Employers should consider being “early adopters” of the new legislation and to go one step further and introduce the leave as paid carer’s leave, making it even more accessible to employees.
The benefits of this legislation could be further enhanced by measures to help carers juggle work and care within the benefits system. The UK Government should be increasing the earnings limit on Carer’s Allowance to 21 times the National Living Wage and should introduce a dedicated Work Allowance for carers in receipt of Universal Credit.
The Welsh Government should review how measures to support carers in employment align with the aspirations to embed Fair Work in Wales. They should utilise the Workforce Partnership Council and the Social Partnership Council to
formulate steps to spread awareness of the incoming legislation and promote the adoption of best practice measures to support carers in employment.
For more information visit the Employers for Carers Wales website.
