Finning UK is one of the first employers to roll out a government pilot scheme to help support employees with caring responsibilities.
The organisation, which distributes plant, complementary equipment and power systems from manufacturers including Caterpillar, will use the pilot to expand its current scheme run by The Dove Service and Staffordshire County Council.
It will explore how technology, such as smart phones and email alerts, can be combined with professional formal and informal support to help staff balance work with caring responsibilities.
Stuart Chapman, HR director at Finning UK and Ireland, said: “Our association with the Dove Service dates back to the start of 2014. Since then, a number of our employees have greatly benefitted from the training and counselling support offered.
“We are known in our industry for our commitment to the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, and see the support of our employees with care responsibilities as not only a natural extension of those commitments, but also entirely consistent with our values.”
The government’s pilot scheme is a part of its Carers and employment programme and will be rolled out in nine pilot areas, which include: north Tyneside, Northamptonshire, Cheshire West, Gateshead, Bury, North Somerset, South Glouchestershire, Staffordshire and Stoke, and Sefton.
Pilots will monitor telephone-based adult care, flexible working and carer ’surgeries’ and run for two years.
National statistics show that there are 5.4 million carers in England.
Nicky Morgan, minister for women and equalities, said: “These pilot projects are designed to test how that pressure can be eased and allow people to balance their caring responsibilities with their jobs and families.
“Carers who feel forced to leave their jobs are a real loss to the workforce and economy. We want to give people the peace of mind about their loved ones that helps them keep their jobs.”
Norman Lamb, care and support minister, said: “Too many carers find it difficult to balance their important caring roles with their work commitments.
“This has costly implications not only for them, but for our businesses and economy too.
“Our Care Act will provide more support to carers than ever before by working with people, their employers and communities. This project will help us to build a stronger economy and a fairer society.”