Employee Carers' Networks Event, December 2011
EfC member, London Fire Brigade (LFB), hosted an engaging and well received members’ event on 12 December 2011. The event focused on staff carers' networks including the practicalities of developing and sustaining staff carers’ networks, overcoming the challenges and pitfalls and learning about good practice examples of different models.
The event was opened by Jim Robinson, Head of HR Transformation at LFB, and the discussion session on carers’ networks was chaired by Caroline Waters OBE, Director of People and Policy for BT Group and Chair of Employers for Carers. Participants discussed key issues with an expert panel of representatives from staff carers’ networks from BT, Centrica, the Metropolitan Police, Foreign and Commonwealth/Diplomatic Services Families Association, PwC and KPMG. EfC produced a guidance paper for members following this successful event.
Distance caring research launch event, June 2011
Hosted by Leadership Group member Nomura, this lively and well attended event (held 14 June 2011) saw the launch of the first ever research survey on the impacts of employers and employees of caring at a distance. Published by EfC and Carers UK in association with Nomura, the research report, ‘Caring at a Distance: bridging the gap’, outlines the results of the online employer and employee survey together with practical recommendations for action by employers, service providers, Government and other stakeholders.
The event also provided an informal networking opportunity for around 80 representatives of employers from the private and public sectors to exchange news and discuss issues about practical support and resources for carers. Members and invited guests were joined by Edward Davey MP, Minister for Employment Relations at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, and a representative from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who spoke from a personal, carer’s perspective about the recently established FCO/Diplomatic Service Families’ Association carers’ network. Speakers also participated in a lively questions and answers session. As a follow up to this event – and for members who were unable to attend - EfC has published a short practical toolkit for member organisations.
Mock Tribunal on the Equality Act, March 2011
A lively mock tribunal event for EfC members (held 1 March 2011) highlighted key practical issues for employers with regard to carers and the Equality Act. Hosted by KPMG, the event featured a mock tribunal highlighting a workplace carer’s scenario, followed by an informal questions and discussion session. Lucy McLynn, Partner, Employment Department, Bates Wells & Braithwaite LLP (the solicitor who represented Sharon Coleman) played a key role in designing and delivering the event and Claire McCann, Barrister, Cloisters Chambers, also participated on the day.
At the mock tribunal, Caroline Waters acted as the Tribunal Judge, Lucy McLynn as the Claimant’s lawyer, Claire McCann as the Respondent (employer)’s lawyer, and representatives from Carers UK as the Claimant (witness) and Respondent (witness). EfC members (the audience) acted as the Panel. The mock tribunal was followed by a questions and answer session with the legal experts which raised a number of practical ‘issues and answers’. As a follow up to this event EfC has published a guidance note for members outlining key issues and practical tips.
Members' Networking Event with Ministerial Speakers, October 2010
Hosted by the Metropolitan Police, a Leadership Group member of Employers for Carers, on 14 October 2010, this event was attended by two government ministers - Edward Davey MP, Minister for Employment Relations at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Maria Miller MP, Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Maria Miller, who has responsibility for carers within DWP, recognised key issues of concern to employers, including the need for accessible employment, welfare and wider support services, to enable employees with caring responsibilities to remain in, and return to, work. She also welcomed the fact that DWP had joined EfC as an employer organisation in order to improve support for carers within its own workforce. Edward Davey highlighted the relevance of – and benefits to – employers of flexibility both in the workplace and in service provision including in employment, education and wider care and support services. He also recognised the crucial role that EfC is playing, alongside government and other agencies, in making the business case to other employers for supporting and retaining carers in the workplace.
Members' Event on Carers' Networks, July 2010
Hosted by PwC, a Leadership Group member of Employers for Carers, this event focused on a key practical issue that EfC members have identified as one of their priorities for support from the forum – the practicalities of developing and sustaining staff carers' networks, overcoming the challenges and pitfalls and learning about good practice examples of different models.
The event was opened by Sarah Churchman, Director of Diversity at PwC, and the discussion session on carers' networks was chaired by Caroline Waters OBE, Director of People and Policy for BT Group and Chair of EfC. Participants discussed key issues with an expert panel of representatives from staff carers' networks from private and public sector employers. The panel spoke about their different models of networks and shared learning points from their own experience. Participants raised questions and shared experiences on a wide range of practical issues including on: establishing networks; virtual networks and other models; developing and sustaining networks; and supporting line managers as well as employees. As a follow up to this event, EfC has published guidance for members outlining key issues and practical tips.
