‘Do you have Caring Responsibilities?’
Previously we have talked about the importance of having an early identification process in your workplace which helps employees to identify themselves as carers. We also gave you some tips on how you can establish an effective system which allows carers to feel comfortable enough to do this.
People can find themselves in a situation where their circumstances change quickly and they can become carers whilst they are already working for you. Therefore, it is important to ask sensitive questions regularly and to create an environment where employees feel that they are able to share information. The sharing of information ensures that you know your employees and that you can offer them support. Designing appropriate forms or questionnaires to use with your employees can help you to gather personal information.
Sensitive questions can often make people feel uneasy and they may be reluctant to answer them truthfully because they feel uncomfortable about sharing personal information. An employee may not wish to answer these questions at all but it is still important for you, as an employer, to create an ethos which promotes information sharing.
You shouldn’t assume people will be willing to answer questions such as ‘do you have caring responsibilities?’ when they have their first contact with you, for example when they complete a job application form. In fact, people will tend to answer these types of questions in a way which minimises their caring responsibilities as they may worry about it affecting an offer of employment.
The good news is you can create a positive environment where employees feel understood and supported. They are more likely to come forward and share their personal circumstances with you if you offer them time and space in staff surveys, questionnaires, back to work interviews and supervisions. It is important to make it clear on forms, questionnaires or in person, the reason you are collecting personal information. Furthermore it is useful for an employee to understand what it will be used for, how you will record it and who will be made aware of it.
You should always reassure employees that they don’t have to respond to sensitive questions if they feel uncomfortable about it and any information they do wish to share will be kept in strict confidence in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. Personal information is best collected through paper or online forms, as this helps to ensure confidentiality. However, sometimes it may be appropriate to ask these questions in person, during a supervision or appraisal for example. The information that comes from discussions had in supervision should also be recorded and signed by the employee.
You should aim to make it clear to employees that you have a commitment to understanding their needs as carers. As an employer, it is important that you communicate to your staff that the information they share will help you to make more informed decisions and offer better practices and services for carers within your organisation.
EXAMPLE to use in your forms or questionnaires
Do you have caring responsibilities? If yes, please tick that apply
– None
– Primary carer
– Secondary carer (another person carries out the main caring role)
– Prefer not to say
