Carers UK has released a new report, Supporting Working Carers in COVID-19: Return and Recovery, based on the findings of a survey completed by Employers for Carers member organisations.

Following on from our research last year, the report highlights the challenges that employers have faced and includes examples of how they have been recognising and addressing the specific needs of carers in their workforce.

One in seven employees in the UK is caring for an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend and this number is set to increase, with many employers identifying higher numbers of unpaid carers in their workforce since the start of the pandemic. Supporting and retaining employees with caring responsibilities remains a critical workforce issue, with working carers facing unparalleled pressures. The report looks at how employers have been adapting their support as we move towards recovery and return, and ensuring that these arrangements become embedded good practice.

Carers UK and Employers for Carers thank Centrica for their support in the creation of this report and for the inclusion of a case study which shows how their ’Flexible First’ way of working enables contact centre colleagues to focus on customer service, whilst benefiting from an improved work-life balance to do things like manage caring responsibilities, childcare, or getting fit.