Working and Caring

Working and caring is a way of life for thousands of people. Many people are already working when their caring role begins. Some carers may be able to maintain their working role whilst caring for someone, while others may need to make changes to their working life.

It is important that you inform your employer about your caring role.  

Caring for someone can often be unpredictable and care arrangements can be complex, so you should talk to your employer about any concerns you may have.  

It is in your employer’s best interest to consider making reasonable changes to your work schedule, to enable you to continue working whilst caring.  

Many employers can offer help in different ways. You should think about what you feel would help you and talk to your employer bout your needs as a carer. Here are a few ideas that may help: 

Working Arrangements

There are different ways of working flexibly. It may be possible for you to work from home or have flexible hours at work. Other options could be:

  • Compressing your working hours, working the same number of hours but in less days
  • Term-Time or annualised working hours (working your contracted hours flexibly, e.g. working extra hours in term-time and less hours during school holidays)
  • Job sharing or part-time working
  • Flexible holidays to fit in with alternative care arrangements
  • Short notice being accepted for time off

Support at Work

When you talk to your employer about your caring role they should give you support and you may also:

  • Be able to talk to a welfare officer or occupational health advisor who knows about carers
  • Get in-house information and advice, counselling or attend support/networking groups

Special Leave Arrangements for Time off in Emergencies

As well as emergency leave (whether paid or unpaid) carers can also get other leave arrangements including:

  • Carers leave (paid/unpaid)
  • Compassionate leave
  • Borrowing/buying leave
  • Career Breaks
You are entitled to take a reasonable amount of time off if you have worked for your employer for at least a year and there is an emergency involving the person you care for. This can include:

 

 

  • If there is a breakdown in care arrangements
  • If the person you care for falls ill or has an accident, this can be emotional or physical pain
  • If your child has an accident during school hours
  • If you need to make longer term care arrangements
  • If you need time off following the death of a dependant.

Flexible Working

The Employment Act (2002) gives working parents of disabled children under 18 the right to request flexible working arrangements. Carers also have the right to take unpaid time off in cases of emergency.  

Other Help from your Employer

Other help your employer could offer include:

  • Access to a telephone so that you can call the person you care for
  • A reserved car parking space to make getting in and out of work quicker and easier

The Work and Families Act 2006

This Act came into force in April 2007 and it gives carers the legal rights to request flexible working and their employer will need to consider this request seriously. In the past parents of children under 6 and disabled children under 18 already had this right, but under this Act the right has been extended to include all carers. Your employer will still have the right to refuse flexible working, but they need to demonstrate clearly why they have chosen to reject your request. If granted this leave is likely to be unpaid. 

Last Updated May 2007