Yasmin Qureshi MP presented her second reading of the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, on 28 October. If passed, this Bill would make flexible working a right for all employees from day one of employment.

The Bill would make it easier for Carers to request flexible working to allow them to juggle work as well as their caring responsibilities. Employees would also be able to make two flexible working requests in a 12-month period. More importantly, the bill shifts the onus away from the employee and onto the employer to show working flexibly was not possible.  

Carers UK research shows that pre-pandemic 600 carers a day were leaving the workforce due to their caring responsibilities. Carers UK’s Supporting carers at work: opportunity and imperative report also revealed that nearly three-quarters (72%) of working Carers say that they worry about continuing to juggle work with their caring role, while one quarter (24%) of Carers in employment said their employer was not understanding of caring.

Find out how businesses and not-for-profit organisations can support their staff who also juggle being a Carer by joining one of our FREE online Carer Friendly Discovery Sessions. Here is a link to the dates.