University staff Wellbeing marks Carers Week
12 Jun 2018
Annual campaign highlights challenges that carers face - and recognises contribution they make
It’s Carers Week this week – an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring by highlighting the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. The campaign encourages others to organise activities and events throughout the UK.
Almost three quarters (72%) of carers in the UK suffer from mental ill health due to their caring role, research for Carers Week has found. Over half (61%) of carers said their physical health had worsened as a result of caring. The Carers Trust is one of eight national charities calling for urgent support for unpaid carers to be healthy and connected to their communities and says that health care professionals, employers, communities and the wider public have a crucial role to play in helping to support carers to look after their own wellbeing.
Adjustments in the workplace may include:
Allowing staff to keep their personal mobiles switched on during meetings in case they are needed at home.
Having their care commitments taken into account when setting meeting times.
Ensuring people have opportunities to talk to their line manager about their caring responsibilities – this could include a question regarding caring responsibilities as a standing item on the agenda for all 'one to one' review meetings.
Give serious consideration to requests to change working patterns on a short or long term basis to accommodate changes in caring responsibilities.
The University would miss out on a massive pool of skills and experience if line managers don’t make adjustments for staff to be able to keep working and maintain their caring role.
The University provides a range of policies and services to support parents and carers and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team have a network for Staff with Caring Responsibilities to share experiences and help each other with the scenarios that arise out of being a carer.
Visit the new Managers' Essentials hub. Here you can find a range of guidance and supporting information to help you manage your day-to-day people responsibilities including this video and document on supporting carers.
Further information
If you would like to contribute your experiences, tips or research to the Wellbeing Blog email: