The CIPD and University of Sheffield have released research today showing that a quarter of workers with caring responsibilites for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill have considered giving up their job entirely, with many struggling to balance their caring role without employer support. 

The research found that 30% of working carers had reduced the hours they work because of their caring role and 36% had refused a job offer or promotion, or decided against applying for a job, because of their caring responsibilities.

28% hadn’t talked to anyone at work about their caring responsibilities. Among them, 39% said this was because they did not believe anything would change.

Carers UK has long been campaigning for working carers to be given a right to at least five days of paid care leave, something the Government is currently consulting on.

Responding to the research, Madeleine Starr MBE, Director of Business Development and Innovation at Carers UK, said:

“In a matter of months, millions more workers in the UK have started caring for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill during the pandemic – a situation that is now common amongst staff.

“For most people, juggling a job with caring for a loved one is incredibly demanding – and without support from employers, it can be too much to manage. Every day, 600 people give up paid work to care, at a huge cost to the economy and personal finances.

“For the benefit of carers and to help keep the UK’s economy moving, the Government must recognise the pressures facing a swathe of workers and introduce a right to five days of paid care leave.”