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Almost half of carers in paid employment are considering reducing their working hours or leaving work altogether because of caring commitments, according to a new report from Carers UK.
The report, ‘The tipping point’ When unpaid carers can no longer combine caring with paid employment, also found that 74% of carers in employment say being able to work supports their wellbeing, offering a break from caring, boosting confidence and social contact.
It shows that while carers want to remain in work, a combination of limited support from employers and services, increased caring responsibilities, and declining personal health is leaving some feeling they have no choice but to leave work to care.
Access to social care and supportive workplaces were cited as the main reasons for staying in work. Many carers (71%) who had given up work to care reported feeling stressed about their caring responsibilities at work, and 77% went to work even when unwell.
In addition, 48% of carers who had given up work to care said they did not feel comfortable speaking to their line manager about the challenges of combining work and care, whilst 43% said their employer did not have policies in place to support carers.
Charity calls for five days of statutory paid leave for carers
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Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said: “Too many carers are being stretched to the limit trying to balance work and care. Given the impact of leaving work, and the fact that more of us will take on caring roles in the years ahead, supporting carers to stay in employment should be a priority for the government and society. This also carries wider economic implications, with the cost of carers leaving paid work estimated at £37 billion a year.
“These new figures show a critical link between social care support and carers’ ability to take on paid work. Social care should be recognised as a key requirement for carers to be able to work, just as childcare has been crucial in supporting parents – particularly women – to participate in the labour market. Alongside this, supportive workplace practices such as flexible working and carer-friendly policies are essential in helping carers balance work and caring responsibilities.”
The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 entitles employees to 5 days of unpaid leave per year to care for someone with long-term health needs, but some carers said they could not afford to take it. 60% said that paid Carer’s Leave would reduce their stress, and 45% said they would be more likely to remain in paid employment.
The government is reviewing employment rights for carers, including the implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act. Carers UK is urging the government to use this opportunity to introduce five days of statutory paid Carer’s Leave before the end of this Parliament.
