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
Unpaid carers are increasingly caring for longer hours each week, facing mounting personal costs as a result of growing caring responsibilities
21 October 25
Unpaid carers, whose finances, health and ability to work are already impacted by their caring responsibilities, say the pressure of caring is unrelenting – with over half (52%) experiencing a rise in the number of hours they spend caring each week in the last year.
Press Release
Winners of Carers UK’s first-ever carer awards revealed
17 October 25
A celebratory gala, held by Carers UK and supported by Phoenix, honoured the remarkable contributions of individuals and organisations across the nation who make life better for unpaid carers.
News
60th Anniversary Stories: A Chorus of Carers (Poem)
13 October 25
To mark Carers UK's 60th Anniversary in Scotland, we are using our platform to share the stories of carers across the nation, illustrating the diverse range of carer experiences in 2025.
Press Release
Carers UK welcomes the opportunity to engage with the government's 10 Year Workforce Plan
26 September 25
The 10 Year Workforce Plan will support the 10 Year Health Plan, published in July this year. Its aim is to ensure that the NHS has the right people, in the right roles, with the right skills.
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