2.1. Introduction (Preview)

Whatever the size of your business you are likely to have employees who are juggling working full or part time and caring for a family member or friend who has a health condition or disability. It’s likely that 10% of your male employees and 14% of your female employees will be in this position.

Not all carers care for long periods of time – some carers may need support to provide specific care within a given time period. Many people may not consider themselves as carers, but think of themselves first as husbands, wives, partners, daughters, sons, siblings or friends.

This section aims to provide you with tips and ideas on the simple things you can do to identify, support and retain experienced and skilled staff within your business. The number of staff you employ who also have a caring role is certainly going to grow as people live longer.

Current estimates are that the number of unpaid carers will reach 9 million in the UK by 2037. That’s up from the current number of 6 million today. Planning ahead for this is not only good business practice but, being an employer who values and supports employees, will also increase staff retention, loyalty and output.

“Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just as an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.”

– Anne M. Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox