Equipsme HR Guide – Carers

It’s estimated that there are more than 5.8 million¹ unpaid carers in the UK, with charity Carers UK putting the real figure at more like 10.6 million². Many of those being cared for are elderly relatives - and many of those caring will also be looking after children as well as trying to do their day job. It’s known as the ‘sandwich generation’, and it’s taking a toll not only on individuals in terms of emotional, physical and financial strain - but on the businesses they work for.

Carers and caring in numbers

5.8 million³ – the estimated number of unpaid carers in the UK
67,300,000⁴ hours of care performed every week in the UK by unpaid carers
1 in 7 ⁵ people are thought to be juggling work and care
1 in 5⁶ people aged 50-69 are informal carers, which means those with the most experience and often in senior roles or at their peak of their career are most affected
73%⁷ of carers in employment find it stressful to juggle their roles
44%⁸ said they had reduced their working hours to care
29%⁹ of informal carers are providing care to parents
59¹⁰– the average age of a female carer, with daughters the number one candidate to become carers
1 in 3¹¹ adults will give up work to care for their elderly parents
27%¹² of unpaid carers have bad or very bad mental health, rising to 31% of those caring for more than 50 hours a week
79%¹³ of carers feel stressed or anxious, half (49%) feel depressed, and half (50%) feel lonely
£162 billion¹⁴– the yearly estimation of for the economic value provided by unpaid carers in England and Wales.

Caring and the law

Working carers in the UK have legal rights designed to help them balance their work and caregiving responsibilities, if they are looking after someone who is elderly or disabled.

These include protection from discrimination or harassment under the Equality Act 2010¹⁵, which means they can’t be treated less favourably than other employees because of their caring role, the Work and Families Act 2006¹⁶, which extended the right to request flexible working to carers of adults as well as children, and the Carer’s Leave Act 2024¹⁷^.

This legislation provides employees in England, Wales, and Scotland with the right to one week of unpaid leave per year to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need. This leave is available from the first day of employment and can be taken flexibly, including in half or full days. Employees are protected from dismissal or detriment due to taking this leave.

How businesses can support carers

1. Check your policies

Make sure your policies are up to date when it comes to things like flexible working arrangements, emergency leave and unpaid leave - to reflect the need to support carers of older people.

Consider developing a Carers Policy framework, including information about each policy, carers rights, and access to further resources and support.

2. Communications and support

It’s really important your people know what kind of support options are available to them if and when they become carers. Ensure your policies are easily accessible and promoted to employees through awareness raising initiatives – for instance around Carer’s Week¹⁸ which takes place each June.

Firms could also consider setting up a Carers' Network or group to foster peer support and information sharing, and steer policy developments.

3. Train your managers and make reasonable adjustments

Provide training for managers on supporting working carers. This should include guidance on adjustments that can be made to make life easier.

These could include later start times to allow for early morning care visits, less or local travel, home working options, having their phone at their desk or in meetings - or time off to attend medical appointments with their relative.

4. Look after health and wellbeing

Caring can take a huge toll on both emotional and physical health. Make sure carers within your workforce know about the services available to them through their Equipsme plan.

That includes advice from nurses and pharmacists on our Health Support Line, who can help with queries about elderly relatives’ conditions, symptoms, or medication, and our 24/7 GP service, where carers can get support for their OWN physical and mental health needs.

If Stress Support is part of your plan, people can also access our EAP Wellbeing Support Line, where trained counsellors can help them cope with anxiety, grief, and feelings of overwhelm.

How to use the Health Support Line
How to use the Equipsme GP
How to use the Stress Support/EAP Service

3. Equipsme eldercare discounts

As part of our commitment to supporting family health, Equipsme has teamed up with eldercare experts Taking Care, to offer members discounts on their personal alarms and eldercare support services. It can help older people live independently for longer, and ease the burden of worry for those caring for them.

Find out more about Taking Care services and discounts