For Carers Rights Day (Thursday 23rd November 2023), Carers UK is raising awareness of new rights soon to be available to the 248,000 unpaid carers in London who work alongside providing care for a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill.
The Carer’s Leave Act, which could come into force as early as April 2024, gives employees with caring responsibilities the right to take up to five days of unpaid carer’s leave.
This leave will allow carers flexibility to better manage work alongside their caring responsibilities – for example, to help get their loved one to routine hospital appointments or support them while they recover from an invasive operation.
There are currently 248,044 employees in London who are juggling paid employment with caring for a loved one who is older, disabled, or seriously ill. Having the option of additional leave from work will help to mitigate the significant pressures that come from balancing work and care.
Research by Carers UK found that over half (57%) of people who had stopped working or reduced their working hours to provide unpaid care for relatives said they had done this because of the stress of managing both responsibilities.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“Carer’s leave will be crucial support for carers in employment who, between managing work and many hours of care, are often left exhausted, having to reduce their hours or give up work entirely.
“Being able to use carer’s leave will give them much-needed time to prioritise their own mental and physical health, removing guilt for many workers needing to take some time out to care, or having to use their annual leave – their own rest time.
“The Act will benefit employers too – those who have already introduced carer’s leave have reported improvements in staff retention and overall well-being.”
It is important for unpaid carers to be aware of their new workplace rights so they can access the benefits. Over a quarter (28%) of carers surveyed by Carers UK said they didn’t know anything about unpaid carer’s leave.
Local businesses also need to familiarise themselves with the Act so that they can prepare to deliver changes to the way they support unpaid carers in their workforce. The details of how unpaid carer’s leave will work in practice will be confirmed by the Government. Employers can get support with getting ready from Carers UK’s business forum, Employers for Carers.
