A huge step forward for working carer’s rights was taken today through a pledge from Prime Minister Tony Blair to extend the right to request flexible working to carers of elderly and sick relatives.
At a ’Big Conversation’ meeting in Downing Street to discuss work-life balance issues, the Prime Minister promised to extend to carers the same rights as those introduced for parents in the workplace. Currently carers can only request time off for emergencies.
With over half the nation’s six million carers in work, many would like to be able to combine caring with having a job. Flexibility at work has risen to the top of people’s priorities for action and in a recent survey seven out of ten employers said they would consider flexible working requests from all their staff.
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, This is tremendous news for carers struggling to juggle work and care. Our work over the years has shown time and again that flexibility from employers helps carers to stay in work longer. Employers also tell us that they get business benefits from employees in terms of lower absenteeism and recruitment costs. In return, they get loyalty from employees.
Carers hail new pledges from Blair
.
