How HR can ease pressures on all carers, not just parents

In the UK alone, there are currently around six and a half million people who are carers, with three in five people likely to become a carer at some point in their lives.

However, many of those who provide care and support for others don’t view themselves as carers - yet one in five often have to give up work to care for someone.

Paternal and maternal leave are legislated for and childcare benefits from employers are increasingly viewed as vital to facilitate a work-life balance. But what about those with extended care responsibilities?

According to an Ernst & Young survey, 38% of Generation X-ers (those born between 1965 and 1980) said they would leave their current job if flexibility wasn’t available, in comparison to 33% of Millennials and 25% of baby boomers.