Supporting Unpaid Carers at Work Could someone in your team be an unpaid carer? Millions of people balance paid employment with caring for a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who couldn’t manage without their support – and many won’t think of themselves as a carer. They may be supporting someone living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, disability, long-term illness, mental health difficulties or the effects of older age. At Crossroads Care, we help employers across Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster and South Yorkshire recognise and support unpaid carers in their workforce, while connecting employees directly with practical local support. Why supporting carers matters to your organisation Nearly 3 million carers aged 16+ in the UK are also in paid employment. Caring responsibilities can affect wellbeing, attendance and working patterns, with 35% of working carers reducing their hours and almost half considering reducing their hours or leaving work. Creating a supportive workplace can help you: Retain experienced employees Reduce absence and staff turnover Improve employee wellbeing Create a more inclusive workplace Strengthen employee engagement Small changes can make a significant difference. Support available through Crossroads Care If an employee is caring for someone, they don’t have to manage everything alone. Depending on where they live and their circumstances, support may include: Information and advice for unpaid carers Carer groups and peer support Wellbeing support Support for young and young adult carers Dementia and Alzheimer’s support Care support & dementia day centre services Counselling or therapeutic support Help accessing grants and financial support Local activities and events Digital information through Carer Connect South Yorkshire Our services operate across areas of Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster and South Yorkshire Support the carers in your workplace Help make sure unpaid carers in your workforce know that support is available. Download our free Practical Guide for Working Carers and share it with your HR team, include it in staff newsletters or wellbeing communications, or print copies for staff rooms and noticeboards. Want to do more? Get in touch with Crossroads Care to find out how we can help you better support employees with caring responsibilities. 01709 360 272 info@crossroadsrotherham.co.uk Download Our Practical Guide for Working Carers Frequently asked questions What is an unpaid carer? An unpaid carer supports a family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help because of illness, disability, mental health difficulties or older age. Does someone have to register as an unpaid carer? No. An employee does not need to be registered or receive Carer’s Allowance to be considered an unpaid carer. Are employees entitled to Carer’s Leave? Yes. Employees have a day-one right to take up to one working week of unpaid Carer’s Leave every 12 months to provide or arrange care for someone with a long-term care need. Does Carer’s Leave have to be paid? No. There is currently no statutory requirement to pay employees for Carer’s Leave, although employers can choose to offer paid leave. Can we ask for proof that someone is a carer? Employees do not have to provide evidence of their dependant’s care needs when requesting statutory Carer’s Leave. Can an employer refuse Carer’s Leave? Eligible Carer’s Leave cannot simply be refused. In certain circumstances, an employer can postpone it if the absence would cause serious disruption to the organisation. Do carers have a right to flexible working? All employees have the right to request flexible working from their first day of employment. This could include changes to their hours, working pattern or place of work. What should a manager do if an employee says they’re a carer? Listen, ask what support would help and explore practical options such as flexibility or workplace adjustments. Managers can also signpost employees to specialist carer support. Can Crossroads Care support our employees? Yes. We can provide resources to help your organisation recognise and support unpaid carers, while employees can access support directly through our services. Depending on their needs and location, this may include advice, wellbeing support, carer groups, counselling, respite, dementia support and help accessing financial support. We can also provide digital and printed resources for staff rooms, noticeboards and internal communications.