Carers and employment

Caring for someone when you are also working is a challenge.

If you are caring for someone while employed this information may help.

Right to request flexible working

Flexible working can help employees manage their work and caring responsibilities.

Examples of flexible working include:

You have the right to request flexible working if you have worked for 26 continuous weeks in your current job.

The 26 weeks are measured from the date you make your flexible working application.

The law gives you the right to make one application each year for flexible working.

Your employer may be sympathetic if your circumstances change and you need to make a further application.

You need to make your request in writing and include the following information:

Your employer can only refuse your request if they have good business reasons for it.

It is important to consider the needs of your company when you make your request.

Include as much information as you can about how your proposed change will help the business as well as you.

Explain how any possible negative effects to your employer could be managed.

Your employer may have a standard form for you to use.

A form is also available from the Carers UK website [external link].

Retaining skilled and experienced staff helps employers remain competitive.

1 in 7 of any workforce are caring for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill. Combining paid work and caring can present real problems.

How would you prioritise between the demands of a busy workload and the urgent need of the person you care for?

1 in 6 carers give up work or reduce their hours to care.

Many of these employees will be your most valuable staff, the 45-64 year-olds at the peak of their careers.

Recognising the needs of carers helps you to hold on to your experienced staff.

For more information, visit the Employers for Carers website [external link].

Darlington businesses with under 250 employees can access free EfC membership.

This gives businesses and their employees full access to the EfC website.

The site includes information for staff to support them in their caring role.

Managers can access the information they need to support their staff who are carers.

To access the website, contact the Carers in Employment Coordinator.

The Coordinator can work with you to look at how to make your business more carer friendly.

For more information, contact Diane Williams:

If you are not currently working but would like to be, Jobcentre Plus can help you to get back to work.

For more information, contact Darlington Jobcentre Plus on 0845 604 3719.