Our recent study shows that 80% of unpaid carers with health conditions have considered leaving their jobs due to insufficient employer support.

Conducted by Carers Trust, Simplyhealth, and Business in the Community, the research highlights the challenges that unpaid carers with health needs face in the workplace and the need for improved support from companies.

The survey found that four-fifths of carers with health conditions had thought about quitting because of the struggle to balance work, health, and caregiving. Nearly nine in 10 considered reducing their hours, while 64% thought about moving to a more flexible employer.

Many carers cited inflexible, target-driven workplaces and unsupportive cultures as key reasons for these challenges.

Resources

One carer, who supports her mum and aunt, expressed the impact of limited workplace understanding, saying:

“When I’m in the workplace, that’s all it is - work - and nothing else is allowed to be mentioned or nothing else is allowed to happen. Because I don’t think they care."

"I was on my mum’s bed in her arms crying my eyes out because of things that had been said and trying to do it all. It’s a really toxic place. And they don’t provide the right support that they say they do.”

Some carers expressed concerns about disclosing their circumstances during job applications, fearing rejection. Additionally, 86% indicated that access to mental health support or counselling through employee assistance programs is essential in helping them manage their responsibilities.

The survey further revealed that 60% of carers felt unsupported by HR in creating measures that would help them balance work with their health and caring duties.

To address these issues, the partnership has released a guide for employers, with guidance on fostering open dialogue, offering flexibility, and recognizing the valuable skills carers bring.

The guide, aimed at supporting the estimated six million unpaid carers in the UK, emphasises four areas for employer action:

• Identifying carers with health needs and initiating conversations
• Ensuring access to support information
• Allowing autonomy in work arrangements
• Recognising and valuing the unique skills carers bring

Research reflections

Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:

“Carers have a huge amount to offer employers but sadly we know that many have to reduce their hours or even give up work completely to find a balance.

"This is a double whammy – depriving organisations of talented staff and blocking career paths for those with caring responsibilities."

"But it doesn’t have to be this way and there are lots of ways companies can help. For example, giving carers more flexibility over where and when they work can make a huge difference."

"By recognising their employees may have a caring role, employers can also go a long way towards supporting carers to excel at work.”

Claudia Nicholls, Simplyhealth’s Chief Customer Officer, said:

“Carers need to have their own health needs met if they are to function at their best, both in their caring roles and at work."

"With the number of unpaid carers expected to increase, and long-term sickness at record levels, we’re on a mission to support people to stay in the workforce rather than drop out, which isn’t good for their own wellbeing or the economy."

"We’re delighted to be helping employers better understand and support the needs of their staff with caring responsibilities with this new toolkit, as well as our health plans for businesses."

"86% of carers said they would value mental health support via a workplace employee assistance programme, and workplace health plans are a cost-effective way of businesses providing inclusive access for all.”

Sue Husband, Community Impact Director at Business in the Community, said:

“At BITC, our mission is to transform lives and help communities thrive, which is why we’re working in partnership with Simplyhealth and Carers Trust to help businesses better understand how they can support the health and wellbeing of those balancing work and caring responsibilities."

"Through our Let’s Care Together programme, in partnership with Simplyhealth and supported by Carers Trust, we are aiming to directly support the health and wellbeing of more than 500 carers across the UK."

"Five million people in England and Wales provide some form of unpaid care, and it’s essential that they are given the flexibility and autonomy to work how, when, and where they want."

"It’s vital that employers recognise the strain that balancing care, health, and work can have on unpaid carers and ensure that they are offering the support and flexibility needed to more easily balance work and caring responsibilities so that they can stay in work.”