The forthcoming employment rights bill was introduced to Parliament in October last year, aiming to support workers, employers and unions to help Britain move forward through economic growth, creating opportunities for all and raising living standards around the country.
A baseline of security for workers will be provided to address the issue of one-sided flexibility, ending exploitative zero hours contracts, ending fire and rehire/fire and replace practices, strengthening statutory sick pay, strengthening tipping laws and providing for a fair pay agreements process in social care sectors.
As the bill makes its way through the committee stage in the House of Lords, charity Carers UK is now calling on the government to bring in measures that provide even more support for the 2.3 million people currently balancing professional work with their unpaid caring responsibilities when supporting disabled, older or ill relatives and friends.
To increase unpaid carers’ support in the workplace, two key amendments have been tabled… firstly, that their current right to unpaid leave be made a paid leave entitlement, and secondly, that employers with more than 250 staff members will need to consider what support to provide to unpaid carers when publishing equality action plans.
Chief executive of Carers UK Helen Walker said: “Every year the UK economy loses an estimated £37 billion due to unpaid carers being unable to work. Without adequate support, carers are often left with no choice but to give up paid work to care, impacting their own financial security and resulting in a loss of valuable skills and experience for employers.
“The bill contains some welcome measures to help unpaid carers, including stronger rights to flexible working, but we need to be ambitious for further change. There is a clear opportunity to lay the foundations for paid carer’s leave, which is critical for those unable to take up their existing, unpaid rights.
“Carers who fall out of employment are at far higher risk of poverty and long-term financial hardship. We are encouraging this government to use the positive momentum of the Carer’s Leave Act and go one step further to increase help for carers able to juggle work and care.”
How to balance paid work with unpaid caring responsibilities
It can be very challenging to balance professional work with unpaid caring support provision, with the UK currently lagging behind other nations around the world when it comes to carer workplace rights.
Knowing what your rights are is the first step towards getting the support you need and it’s always worth talking to your employer to discuss your options.
As of April last year, you now have the right to request flexible working arrangements to help you fulfil your responsibilities, enabling you to establish a work pattern that facilitates your caring role and time for self-care, as well.
You also have the right to take time off in an emergency if a situation involves someone who’s dependent on you, such as if normal care arrangements have been changed or cancelled, if someone is ill or in an accident, or if you need to to organise long-term arrangements for your loved one.
If you’d like to find out more about support for unpaid carers, particularly in the form of respite care, get in touch with the Concept Care team today.
