What are my rights as a working carer?
Your rights in work come from two sources:
- The law gives you ‘statutory rights’ which everyone has.
- Your contract of employment gives you ‘contractual rights’ which can be more generous than statutory rights.
In this section, we're providing guidance about your statutory rights as a working carer. However, it's always worth checking your contract of employment, staff handbook, HR policies or letter of appointment to see if you have any contractual rights on top of your statutory rights.
Note: For further information about your general rights, see the GOV.UK website.
For a summary of your statutory rights, you can also take a look at our factsheet, Your rights in work.
Find out more about your rights at work
Latest updates
Landmark Bill gains further support ahead of Report stage in Commons
MPs from many different parties are backing a Private Member’s Bill on Carer’s Leave, which would see millions of unpaid…
Carers UK responds to Reimagining Care Commission report
A new report, released by the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, calls for a National Care Covenant with three actions…
Census 2021 data shows increase in substantial unpaid care in England and Wales
Today the Office for National Statistics has published Census 2021 data about unpaid carers which showed growing intensity of care…
‘Obscene’ impact of poverty on NI’s unpaid carers blasted
New Carer Poverty Commissioned launched to explore the drivers and policy solutions to poverty among unpaid carers in Northern Ireland.
Got a question about caring?
Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member
Become a member for free
Joining Carers UK is free and takes just a few minutes.