Does your workplace support carers of elderly parents?

Following a successful seminar for employees caring for elderly parents for Bosch as part of their employee wellbeing service, Kate Bennett The-HR-Hero and myself, Dr Kirsten of HEALTHACATE? addressed the new update in legislation and co-produced a masterclass focusing on how organisations and HR managers can support employees caring for elderly parents.

We have an ageing population in the UK, more women in particular are in senior roles in the workplace. Hence the 45-65 year olds are particularly hit by the pressure of:

1. Workplace pressures
2. Home life pressures including children who still need attention and financial assistance
3. Pressure of caring for increasingly dependent parents

As a GP in normal practice it is very common to sign med3's or fit notes for the purpose of granting time off work so informal carers can fulfil their caring duties, however this means they then, unfairly, enter a burdensome absenteeism process.

Recent legislation has addressed this with the "Carers Leave Bill" which gives employees the right to a weeks unpaid carers leave within a year.

As usual it was a whistle stop tour of touching on what best practice would look like for an organisation citing the 5 Ps of best practice developed by Carers UK , we talked about what leave arrangements are available in organisations currently for carers of elderly parents including an update in legislation in the form of the new "Carers Leave Bill". We also talked about the support pack we have developed as a result of these important conversations which includes:

1. A support pack for HR managers outlining what best practice looks like, what the new legislation "Carers leave act 2023" means for your organisation and includes case studies to stimulate further discussion within your organisation.
2. A carers leave policy (including the new legislation update)
3. A resource pack outlining the health,financial, social, ethical and legal aspects that become important when caring for an elderly parent, signposting to relevant organisations and government websites.This can be provided to employees as part of best practice when taking the first steps to support them on their caring journey.

The resource pack is available to be purchased here:

If your organisation wants to take the first steps towards supporting your carers of elderly parents by providing a workshop, online seminar, or via co-production with managers and employees get in touch:

[email protected]

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