4.1. Introduction (Preview)

Unpaid carers make a valuable contribution to the UK economy and the daily lives of millions of people who couldn’t cope without their support.

With an aging population the number of unpaid carers is expected to grow from 6.5 million to an estimated 9 million and more and more employees will have to combine work with caring. Working carers are more likely to need support at work, often different levels of support at different times: from minor changes such as providing access to telephone to check on the person they care for, to responding to applications from staff for flexible working.

If a carer wants to enter to work or continue working, it is the employer’s best interest to consider making reasonable changes to the employee work pattern.

Employers, if they want their business are to continue to grow need to know what they must do to meet their obligation to employees, have a good understanding of the role of unpaid carers and the law that specifically relates to unpaid carers.

Carers already have some statutory rights in the UK and more and more employers are realising the benefits of supporting carers in the workplace and offer help in various ways.

In this Topic we will outline the employment law and the legislation that specifically relates to unpaid carers in the UK.