1,500 people in the UK quit work to care for older and disabled relatives every day...
Photo by Centre for Ageing Better on Unsplash
It feels rather apt that yesterday, at the same time I was delivering my 'Thriving Through the Midlife Collision' session for Wiley’s Parents & Carers ERG that Carers UK was releasing its latest report - highlighting a threefold increase in the number of unpaid carers leaving employment since 2019 when numbers were 600 per day.
1 in 5 of UK employees (20%) now have a caring responsibility.
Does the scale of this surprise you?
Two years ago there were 1.75 million people aged 85 years and over, making up 2.5% of the population...by 2049 this is projected to have doubled to 3.6 million...
When asked by the researchers what support would be most important to combine paid work with unpaid caring responsibilities, 79% said flexible working and 79% said a supportive line manager or employer.
The UK government has now announced stronger flexible-working rights that will make it harder for employers to dismiss reasonable requests without proper consideration. Under the new policy:
Employers will have to “properly consider” flexible-working requests.
Employees must be offered a meeting before a request is rejected.
Employers will need to consider whether the proposed arrangement is reasonable and feasible.
If the original request cannot work, suitable alternatives should be explored.
Employers rejecting a request must explain why their decision is reasonable.
Employees will be able to challenge unreasonable refusals at an employment tribunal.
The reforms are expected to take effect across England, Scotland and Wales in autumn 2027.
If your People team or ERG is looking to bring in someone to tackle the topic of what happens when caring for elderly relatives meet the reality of working lives in midlife, here's what Gemma Cassidy at Wiley had to say about yesterday's session:
"Thank you so much Emma for presenting to our Parents and Caregivers Employee Resource Group about 'Thriving through the Midlife Collision'! The session was really well attended (and I've already had requests from colleagues who couldn't make it for the recording!). There were so many really practical tips shared in the session and difficult topics tackled pragmatically and practically. One of the attendees said 'This has been an absolutely brilliant session, thank you so much! So helpful to have these 'taboo' topics talked about - really helps with any guilt.' I think this really summarises what these sessions are for, to help colleagues feel less alone with what they are navigating and to provide genuine support and advice. The resources you've provided will also undoubtedly be really useful for members of our ERG going forward. Thanks so much Emma!"
In their latest book Fair Share, Brad Johnson and David Smith look at the incredible ROI that accrues when employers invest in supporting caregivers:
Analyses by Harvard Business School and others of the material return on investment (ROI) linked to caregiving-supportive benefits reveal a net positive ROI for every dollar invested in benefits.
While a third of employees consider leaving their jobs due to the demands of caregiving each year, most of those who stay do so because their employer supports their caregiving.
If turnover among caregivers can be reduced by just 3 percent, then the employer generates an ROI of more than 100 percent.
(and they'll tell you more about that soon when they appear on my podcast!)
Drop me an email: emma@thetripleshift.org to find out more…