Employers for Carers (EfC), an innovative scheme set up by Carers UK to champion and promote effective workplace support for staff with caring responsibilities, has reached a landmark 250 members.
Helen Walker, Carers UK’s Chief Executive, shared the milestone whilst addressing more than 150 business leaders and employment experts at the charity’s second annual employment conference yesterday.
Employers for Carers evolved from a pioneering group of employers committed to creating inclusive workplaces for unpaid carers over 15 years ago. It now has member organisations spanning the public, private and voluntary sectors, offering advice and support to 3 million of the UK’s employees.
The conference took place as the charity continues to mark its 60th Anniversary. ‘Equality and Work: Supporting carers through the employment journey,’ was chaired by broadcaster Kirsty Wark to highlight the challenges faced by the millions of people who combine paid work with caring for an older, sick or disabled family member or friend, and showcase those who are leading the way in excellent workplace practice.
Keynote speakers included Kelly Beaver MBE, CEO of Ipsos UK and Ireland, who spoke about societal conditions for employment and Mary Bright, Group Head of Social Sustainability at Phoenix Group who shared what excellence looks like in the workplace as a leader in the field. Breakout session contributors included Nicola Smith, Director of Policy for the TUC.
Carers UK’s research shows that over 600 people a day give up work to care after experiencing a lack of flexibility and support, and the consequences of this can be long lasting – not only for unpaid carers who are impacted by lost income, an inability to save for the future, poorer health and missed career opportunities, but also for UK businesses. It has been estimated that they lose an estimated £8.2 billion every year due to staff absence, turnover and stress.i
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“One in seven of the workforce is caring for someone who is older, sick or disabled in the UK, and this is even higher in some sectors. In the NHS, it is as many as one in three. That’s millions of employees combining work and unpaid care.
“The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 gave 2.3 million working carers the right to five days of unpaid leave and we have been encouraged by its positive reception. However, Carers UK’s research has also found that half of working carers were unable to take the leave because they could not afford to. We are really pleased to see a growing number of employers recognising the business and employee benefits of supporting carers to go beyond the Act to offer paid Carer’s Leave.
“For forward-looking employers, the sharing of ideas and commitment to success for the future is fantastic to see. This event, and the fact that 250 employers are now signed up to Employers for Carers, shows that we are building real momentum for change and working to make life better for more unpaid carers.”
Carers UK is urging more employers to go further in adopting more carer-friendly measures in the workplace to help more employees who juggle work and unpaid care.
Carers Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, will take place from 9-15 June 2025 and is a great opportunity for any organisation to get involved and show their support for carers. This year’s theme ‘Caring about Equality’ will highlight the many inequalities unpaid carers face just because of their caring role. Find out more here.
Find out more about Employers for Carers here .