Network Chairs – Identifying and supporting working carers

21st November 2024 | 11am to 12pm

Any of us can become a carer at any point, regardless of our gender, age or social status. We probably have a good understanding of who in our teams is a parent, but would you know who in your team is a carer?

Despite one in seven people in the workplace in the UK juggling work and care (Carers UK, Juggling Work and Care, 2019), carers are often hidden in the workforce in a way that parents are not. Many carers do not self-identify as such, and are carrying out unpaid care to someone they love without thinking of themselves being in the role of ‘carer’. If they do recognise their caring responsibilities in this way, there are still often barriers to accessing support and flex from their employer. They may be concerned that if their employer were to know of their caring responsibilities, they would be seen as less committed at work or less suitable for promotion.

With that in mind, how can we be building a culture within our organisations that supports working carers to come forward, and access the support they need? This is a pressing issue given that on average, 600 people a day leave work to care (Carers UK, Juggling Work and Care).

To mark this Carer’s Rights Day 2024, this Network Chair event will explore how organisations can adopt a broad definition of a carer in the workplace. We will also hear about the support that leading organisations offer to carers, and how they’ve tailored their support based on the knowledge they have of carers in their workforce. 

We will hear from our three panellists:

• Verity (Clark) Watson, Assistant Director – Employee Experience (Employment Solicitor) at the University of Strathclyde
• Lesley Storer, Senior HR Adviser at the University of Strathclyde
• Natalie Quilter, ED&I and Talent Specialist

This event is for Working Families employer members only.