Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd – Winner 2021, Best for Carers & Eldercare
Anglo American offers a comprehensive package of support for employees who have caring responsibilities. The mining company gives up to 5 days paid leave which was extended to 10 days during national lockdowns to support carers to care for dependants each year, as well as 4 days of emergency back-up care for the occasions when regular care provisions fall through. This is for childcare, elder care and disability care.
Both short-term flexible working and adjustment leave, which is a short break from work to adjust to a new caring situation, are available. Employees can benefit on a formal or ad hoc basis, and managers are trained to recognise and support those who have caring responsibilities.
The organisation believes providing employees with support in their personal life has positive effects on their productivity and enables them to succeed. Through My Family Care, Anglo American also offers employees with caring responsibilities 4 days emergency back-up care where the organisation pays for the care required should their regular support fall through. Offering this support provides employees with peace of mind and reduces their stress and anxiety. By making this available on an informal basis, colleagues don’t have to worry about long processes to access the support at a time when managing their caring emergencies are stressful enough.
Anglo American’s ‘You Care’ network has been running for two years. It offers events and seminars to provide guidance around family-friendly and flexible working policies. Recent sessions have covered topics such as “The benefits of a Lasting Power of Attorney” and “How to secure long term care solutions”, providing valuable and trusted information. As a global business, Anglo American has ensured colleague networks reach all the countries the organisation is working in.
A culture of ‘open dialogue’ is nurtured so that employees with caring responsibilities can talk to their line managers and HR about their needs and experience. Having a Carers Champion at a senior position means the issue is talked about at all levels of the business.
Anglo American is not standing still; they are looking forward to how they can develop and expand their support for staff with caring responsibilities. They will launch a global family-friendly leave policy, which will cover leave options for all carers. There is a campaign to encourage carers to tell the organisation about their caring status via an online portal. Carers Week in June 2021 will be marked with activities and communication which will raise awareness of issues faced by carers and point people to helpful resources.
Award sponsored by Crown Prosecution Service
Find out what the judges and sponsors had to say about Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd – winner of the Best for Carers & Eldercare Award