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An innovative new service for employers
As an employer you will be all too familiar with the need to retain skilled experienced staff to remain competitive. But for the 1 in 7 in your workforce who are caring for someone who is ill, frail or has a disability, juggling paid work and caring can present real problems. How would you prioritise between an urgent call from a client and an urgent call from your elderly parent who has dementia? or to attend to your disabled child? or your partner who has Multiple Sclerosis?
Given the stresses and strains that can result from balancing multiple responsibilities inside and outside the workplace, it is unsurprising that 1 in 5 carers give up work to care full time. But many of these employees will be your most valuable staff, the 45-64 year-olds at the peak of their careers.
By recognising the needs of carers, you can hold on to your experienced staff and reap the rewards of creating a supportive working environment for carers.
A major issue which cannot be ignored
Good businesses need good people. In the current economic climate, there has never been a more important time to focus on the benefits of retaining skilled workers rather than incurring the costs of recruiting and retraining new staff.
Caring is an issue which faces all of us. Changing demographics and an ageing population mean that 3 in 5 people will end up caring for someone at some point in their lives. The number of carers in the UK is set to grow from 6 million to 9 million in the next 30 years. This is an issue none of us can afford to ignore.
Who are we?
We are employers like you – large and small. Employers for Carers has evolved from a group of employers committed to working carers, is chaired by BT and supported by the specialist knowledge of Carers UK. Our key purpose is to ensure that employers have the support to retain employees with caring responsibilities. We offer:
- A strong evidence base on how caring responsibilities impact on employment.
- Expertise in working with government and employers on developing and implementing policy and good practice in the workplace.
- Five years experience of working with employers, such as BT, Centrica, the Metropolitan Police and the NHS, to support carers wishing to remain in or return to work.
What do we do?
- Provide advice and support for employers seeking to develop carer friendly policy and practice and retain skilled workers.
- Identify and promote the business benefits of supporting carers in the workplace.
- Influence government and employment policy and practice to create a culture which supports carers in and into work.
What do you get when you join?
The Employers for Carers membership package includes:
- A resource pack which includes:
- Supporting carers in your workforce: an employer’s guide.
- Supporting working carers: a carer’s guide.
- A guide to the right to request flexible working.
- Managers Handbook.
- A training DVD Juggling Work and Care which can also be used to promote carers’ support.
- Password access to a specialist website full of online practical resources including:
- A benchmarking tool.
- Model policies.
- Detailed business case.
- An interactive employers’ discussion forum.
- A half day one-on-one 'diagnostic' session with one of our specialist consultants who will help you identify practical ways to improve support for carers in your workforce.
- Access to expert consultancy and training services.
- Latest information about legal and employment policy through e-bulletins and briefings.
- Opportunities to network with other employers and policy makers at our events.
Join Employers for Carers>
What does it cost to join?
- Corporate Membership Rate:
£2,000 per annum (plus VAT)
- Reduced Membership Rates:
£1,000 per annum (plus VAT) – available to employers with less than 1,000 employees
£500 per annum (plus VAT) – available to employers with less than 500 employees
