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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 provide guidance about your statutory and contractual rights as a working carer. 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. 

 

Latest updates

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Carers UK respond to Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, reforms to the DWP
23 July 24

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “There are 4.3 million working age unpaid carers in the UK and…

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Kings Speech - Carers UK welcomes Employment Rights Bill provisions but calls for unpaid carers to be greater priority for Government
17 July 24

Responding to today’s speech by King Charles III, Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK,…

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Rise in people discharged early from hospital puts millions of unpaid carers under more pressure
16 July 24

A survey by the Adult Directors of Social Services, ADASS, reveals a rise in the numbers of people being discharged…

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Carers UK responds to the appointment of Sir Stephen Timms MP as the DWP Minister for Social Security and Disabilities
15 July 24

“We are delighted that Sir Stephen Timms MP has been appointed as the DWP Minister for Social Security and Disabilities.…

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