Ripple&Co’s Post

Working carers have been on my mind over recent years, but it's only since the pandemic that I've really started to look into this topic. Did you know that there are over 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland and 45% of them are in some form of employment. That is a lot of people who are juggling caring responsibilities with work and it's only going to increase over the coming years. The new legislation that has come in with the Carers Leave Act is a positive move towards providing some time off for working carers with 5 days of leave for caring, but it is unpaid so it doesn't help the financial impact. There is LOTS more that employers can do, starting with demonstrating awareness of the challenge with juggling caring and work responsibilities and creating a culture where Carers feel able to discuss their situation and any support needs with their manager.  Let's look out for our working unpaid carers. #workingcarers

Less than a week to go until #carersweek kicks off! 'Putting carers on the map' is the theme for this year, where we want to make sure that the voices of unpaid carers are heard. It is essential that carers are recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely. What are you doing as an employer to ensure that you are supporting carers? 1 in 7 people in the workforce are juggling work and care and so it is a population that cannot be ignored in the workplace. Pledge your support by getting involved in the celebrations: https://lnkd.in/eEBnSXEc Carers UK #unpaidcarers #carers #workingcarers

Did you know that families are providing more care than ever before? A new report published by Carers UK and Centre for Care shows that "unpaid carers in the UK are now providing care worth a staggering £184.3 billion a year". This highlights an urgent need for workforce policies that better support unpaid carers. Flexible work arrangements, robust employee benefits, and innovative solutions like homesharing can make a real difference in empowering carers to balance their responsibilities without compromising their well-being or careers. How is your organisation addressing the needs of employees who are also unpaid carers? Read more about the report here - https://lnkd.in/e3TggFje #UnpaidCarers #TwoGenerations #Homesharing #EmployeeBenefits

📢 Supporting Working Carers: Carers Count Kirklees is Here to Help 📢  At Carers Count Kirklees, we understand that many employees don’t always recognise themselves as carers—even though some are dedicating up to 50 hours a week caring for loved ones while balancing a full-time job. In line with Carers UK's new campaign, This Counts as Care, we’re here to support employers in identifying and assisting their staff who are also unpaid carers. Through digital resources and workshops, we help businesses provide the support carers need to thrive at work while fulfilling their caregiving responsibilities. With 1 in 5 (22%) carers reporting unfair treatment in the workplace, and nearly a quarter struggling to meet work demands, it’s time to take action. Updating policies and offering flexible support can make a huge difference. 💼  Let's work together to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for working carers. 🙌  👉 Find out more about how we can help your organistion support working carers together. Contact on info@carerscount.org.uk or drop us a DM.  #CarersCountKirklees #WorkingCarers #ThisCountsAsCare #EmployerSupport #CarerRights #WorkplaceWellbeing #CaringAndWorking 

This week is carers week. 15% of the population in the UK are working carers - so its highly likely that you either work with or know someone who is a working carer. Whilst there is no legal obligation to be a carer, people in this situation often feel a moral obligation to undertake the role and the associated responsibilities. Carers are people who are enormously compassionate, brilliant problem solvers, they have the ability to think on their feet, and are often decisive people who have had to learn how to make difficult decisions under pressure. They are also humans who have feelings, have a huge amount to contribute to their work places, but more often than not feel burnt out from constantly having to be alert and think ahead, and feel like they bring a substandard version of themselves to their work, and to the person that they care for. At work, legally their rights include; - The right not be discriminated against - The right to request flexible working - The right to time off to care for their dependant - From this April, they also have the right to one week of *unpaid* carers leave in the UK This is the absolute minimum - they also have the right to be trusted, respected and treated with care and compassion. And most of all they should have the right to feel safe to share their situation with their employer. Over 600 working carers resign every day in the UK because we don't value and respect the work that they do at home and at work. If you do one thing this week, please think about how you can make your working environment more carer friendly so that finally someone cares about the carers.

💼 Did you know that 1 in 7 people in Scotland balance their work with caring responsibilities? At Change Mental Health we understand the importance of supporting #carers in the workplace. Here's what we believe makes a difference:   🔒 Rights: We're excited about the new legislation, but we advocate for even more, including paid Carers Leave! ❤️ Feeling Valued: It's crucial for carers to feel appreciated and supported 🌟 Comfort in Identity: We want carers to be open about their roles without fear of judgment or compromise 📎 Meaningful Policies: Our workplace policies and messages are designed to provide real support 📣 Visible Support: Senior leaders and managers visibly endorse and support carers, sharing their own experiences authentically   At Change Mental Health, we're proud to be a #CarerPositive Engaged Employer offering: 💸 10 Days Paid Carers Leave: In addition to other leave options ⚙ Robust Policies: Comprehensive carer and lived experience policies 🌍 Visible Champions: Carer champions are present across our organisation 🤗 Carers Café/Network: Engaging and supporting our carers through dedicated networks 💡 Our Legacy: Founded by carers, for carers 💪 Promoting Flexibility: We've championed flexible working from day one, long before it became statutory!   Discover more about how we support our team and those accessing our services. Explore opportunities to get involved by clicking the link below! Let's champion a supportive work culture together! 🌟 #carers #carersweek #support #hr #culture #wearecarepositive Carers UK Carer Positive   🔗 https://lnkd.in/ew_DTMCA

Having to choose between the needs of an employer and the needs of the person who requires care can lead to feeling pressured, overwhelmed, confused, frustrated or even guilty. The challenge of juggling these two opposing demands means someone may need to be particularly organised balancing work and care. Please get in touch to find out more on how we can help you to support staff before they reach burnout and need time off work.

It's Carers Rights Day today! This is a national event dedicated to recognizing unpaid carers and raising awareness about their rights and available support. Carers often juggle caregiving with work and personal commitments, facing numerous challenges. This day celebrates carers and emphasizes the importance of carer leave and flexible working arrangements. In the UK, approximately 6.5 million unpaid carers manage care alongside paid employment, often experiencing stress and financial strain. Carers Rights Day informs carers of their entitlements, including up to five days of unpaid leave per year under the UK’s Employment Rights Act starting in 2024. This leave offers flexibility for emergency care or essential appointments. The introduction of carer leave is significant, ensuring carers can support their loved ones without jeopardizing their employment. Employers who support carer leave foster a compassionate and supportive workplace culture. Flexible Working: Balancing Care and Career Flexible working arrangements, such as adjusting hours, working remotely, or reducing hours, are essential for supporting carers. As of 2024, employees with 26 weeks of continuous service can legally request flexible working. This flexibility helps carers manage their responsibilities and stay in the workforce. Offering flexible working recognizes carers' value and the pressures they face, helping retain experienced staff, fostering loyalty, and enhancing employee satisfaction. I know personally how important carers leave and flexibility is when working and undertaking an unpaid caring role. #CarersRightsDay #BalancingWorkandCaring

Some interesting statistics in this short piece....

Supporting working carers 💪 Three crucial solutions for employers 👇 This week is Carers Week - a campaign set up to raise awareness of the 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, and the many challenges they face. They save the economy an estimated £162 million every year – the equivalent of a second NHS. And yet, many carers feel forgotten and invisible 🫥 The struggles carers face can hugely impact their lives in a number of ways, including finances, health and wellbeing, and of course, their employment. With an ageing population in the UK, and various other parts of the world, this is an issue that isn't going away, and organisations need to step up in order to provide better support for employees with caring responsibilities 🫶 Recently, our CEO Molly Johnson-Jones joined Seniorcare by Lottie for a webinar on supporting carers in the workplace. In the clip below, she highlights three ways organisations can effectively support unpaid carers on their team. For more insights and guidance on this topic, check out our blog post 'Beyond Carer's Leave: Creating Inclusive Workplaces': https://lnkd.in/e4ENRUHE 📚 You can also watch the full webinar on Seniorcare by Lottie's YouTube channel - we've shared the link in the comments. #FutureOfWork #CarersWeek #Carers #DEI