Employees are resorting to using annual and sick leave to look after elderly relatives, according to a survey that reveals the growing impact of caring responsibilities on the workforce.
The study of more than 1,000 people by benefits provider Willis PMI Group found that around a sixth (have taken time off or worked irregular hours because of caring responsibilities. Of these, 39 percent have used annual leave to meet their responsibilities, while 34 percent resorted to sick leave and 32 percent compassionate leave.
Just 21 percent of those with caring responsibilities were granted flexible-working arrangements by their employer.
This chimes with research published earlier this year, which showed that only one in three organisations had either a formal, written policy or even an informal, verbal system in place to support working carers.
The joint report from the CIPD and Westfield Health said 38 percent of employers had no carer support policies at all – and no plans to implement them in the near future. It suggested that 7 in 10 did not keep track of how many of their staff had caring responsibilities.
Willis PMI Group director Mike Blake said:
“An ageing workforce poses a number of significant challenges for UK business. Already, 30 per cent of the country’s workforce is over the age of 50, meaning many will find themselves needing to juggle work with the responsibility of caring for an elderly relative, often a parent.
“Often, employees will find it difficult to ask for help and may try to continue working as if nothing is wrong, which is why it is important for businesses to ensure the appropriate support is in place to avoid an impact on sickness absence.”
More than half of those surveyed called for employee benefit providers to offer more services providing support and guidance for people with caring responsibilities. Blake said firms could consider “eldercare benefits”.
“These schemes are not yet commonly used, but can help to provide everything from extra care at home to assistance with financial planning,” he said.
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
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