Contractual rights at work

Contractual rights will vary depending on the organisation you work for. You can ask your Human Resources (HR) department, your line manager, or consult your organisation’s policies to find out what support they offer.

Carers policy

A carers policy is a document that explains how a company will support working carers and any additional rights and benefits are available. In some organisations, these have different names such as a ‘family-friendly policy.’ Ask your HR department which policies cover carers.

I had no idea of any carer friendly policies or initiatives available through my employer.”

Paid carers leave

Increasingly, employers are offering extra paid leave to employment contracts for employees who need to perform caring-related tasks during work hours eg taking someone to a hospital appointment. This is in addition to paid holiday leave. Carers leave allows carers to take those they care for to medical appointments and other essential activities without having to take holiday or unpaid leave.

My child needed to go in for an operation and I spoke to my line manager to book some holiday. When I explained what it was for, they immediately changed it from holiday time to paid care leave. I had no idea that was an option.”

Carer Passport

A Carer Passport is designed to support discussions between carers and line managers or HR departments. It is a confidential document that records what has been agreed to support you to balance work and care. It can also be known by other names in some organisations – such as an adjustment passport or workplace adjustment.

The document moves with you if you change roles within the organisation or if your line manager changes. The agreements in the passport continue without the need to go through the process again. The aim is to provide a straightforward way to document support so it can be carried into your future roles, without having to repeat the same conversations.

Carer champion

A carer champion is an employee who volunteers to help raise awareness of the impact unpaid caring has on employees within their workplace. They are often knowledgeable and a carer themselves.

We have done stalls alongside Carers Wales. We had people come over asking for advice, it was only when you actually say ‘what do you do for somebody? If you weren’t there how would the person cope?’. They would respond saying they wouldn’t…‘So you’re a carer then?’…‘Oh, I suppose I am!’”

Carers network

A carers network is a group of carers and people who want to support carers who meet, usually in working hours, to offer each other peer-to-peer support. Peer support, networks and carers champions can provide informal help that can make a difference for working carers. This includes practical tips from people who have been in a similar situation, and emotional support which can help you feel less isolated and manage stress.

Networks can also help save time for line managers by communicating information to employees. Carers have reported that even if they do not take up the support on offer such as accessing networks, just knowing that help is there if needed has made them feel more supported and motivated at work.

Employee assistance programmes

Your employer may offer employee assistance programmes. Some of these programmes can assist you to find and access practical support for the person you care for.

Wellbeing support and counselling services

Some employers will offer wellbeing support such as counselling services. This may happen through an internal counsellor connected to your organisation or be in the form of outsourced support or vouchers

Employers for Carers

Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to support carers in their workplace. You may find that your employer wants to support you and other colleagues who are working carers but lack the knowledge or resources to be able to help. Ask them to contact Carers Wales. We have free information and advice available as well as our scheme

Employers for Carers (EfC) is a subscription membership that offers guidance to employers on how to implement carer-positive work practice. The objective is to give employers a toolkit so they can support employees who are carers so that their skills and experience can be retained within the business.

EfC’s mission is to show the benefits of retaining carers in the workforce by adopting practices that better support carers.

They provide employers and line managers with the tools they need to enable employees to manage their work commitments alongside their caring responsibilities.