Government papers: Informal Carers and employment: summary report of a systematic review
The report highlights the barriers faced by carers who wish to be in employment, the strategies in-work carers use to retain employment and the barriers to employment re-engagement when a carer has left the labour market.
Key findings
- The most commonly cited workplace need identified by carers in the literature, is access to flexible working arrangements. In cases where workplace flexibility is not possible some carers will reduce their working hours, or downgrade to a less senior role.
- Having a carer friendly employer was recognised as significant for successful employment retention among carers. Informal arrangements, such as employers allowing carers extra leave days to deal with emergencies were appreciated by carers.
- More formalised policies such as the use of a carers register enabling carers to access emergency leave and leave to attend medical appointments as well as a carers passport were popular, though not common.
- Key transition points across the carers ’caring journey’ can also cause friction with employment. The most obvious transition point is the transition into becoming a carer. Changing circumstances can increase the risk of employment exit.
- The age at which a person is most at risk of leaving their employment in order to care is between 50 and 64. Factors such as proximity to State Pension Age, and the likelihood of being ‘sandwich carers’ are believed to contribute to employment exit.
