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
Press Release
Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister is an opportunity for unpaid carers
20 July 26
Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister offers an important opportunity to improve support for the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid carers
Press Release
Andy Burnham is right to make social care an early priority as the UK's next Prime Minister
17 July 26
In a video posted on Facebook, the incoming Prime Minister speaks to voters in Cardiff city centre and mentions his plans for social care, saying that “if there’s one area I’m going to expend quite a lot of political capital, it’s going to be on social care.”
Press Release
Response to ADASS Spring survey report
15 July 26
Carers UK responds to the publication of the ADASS Spring Survey 2026 today
Press Release
Launch of cross- government Carers Action Plan
14 July 26
Today, the Government has launched a cross-government Carers Action Plan signed by four Ministers, across health and social care, welfare, work and education.
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