Carers’ rights at work
A carer who is supported to combine working and caring may be better able to maintain their own wellbeing.
We know work can positively affect a carer’s wellbeing, but it is often difficult to maintain work and caring responsibilities. It’s important, therefore, that carers understand their rights and can access the necessary support to remain in work. Steve Dubbins, Director of Services, Dementia Carers Count
Working and caring
It can be very hard to manage working and caring responsibilities.
A carer who is supported to combine working and caring may be better able to maintain their own wellbeing – not just financially but socially and emotionally.
Carers’ rights at work
Carers have the following rights at work:
The right to five days of unpaid carers leave
The Carers Leave Act came into force in April 2024, giving carers the right to five days of unpaid carers leave.
Some employers may offer paid carers leave but this is at their discretion.
The right to request flexible working
Some carers find they can manage the balance of working and caring if they work their hours over fewer, longer days. This can provide them with a clear block of time for their caring.
Some carers may need to start earlier and finish earlier.
Some carers may need a few weeks off to make arrangements for replacement care in order to continue working.
An employer must give proper consideration to requests such as these. If they decide it is not organisationally possible to grant the request, they must explain why that is.
The right to time off for emergencies
If your care arrangements break down suddenly, or you need to deal with another emergency relating to your caring role, then you have the right to take time off.
This will not be paid time off unless your contract of employment includes paid carer’s leave.
The right to protection from discrimination
You should not be discriminated against because you are a carer. You have the same rights as people with a disability have under the Equality Act and Human Rights Act, not to face discriminated because of your caring role.
How your employer can become more carer friendly
It benefits employers to be able to retain experienced employees and to develop a reputation as a carer friendly employer.
There is a growing body of support for employers to help them become more carer friendly and to understand their duties towards carers.
More details can be found at:
Find out about training opportunities for employers
We offer training to employers to help them be more responsive to the needs of dementia carers in their workforce.
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