Employee Benefits poll: The majority (95%) of organisations do not think the introduction of one week of unpaid carer’s leave per year goes far enough to support employees, according to a survey of Employee Benefits readers.
Meanwhile, just 5% of respondents were unsure if one week of unpaid carer’s leave per year goes far enough to support employees. No respondents said they thought it goes far enough.
The Carer’s Leave Act, which became law on 6 April, gives unpaid carers in England, Scotland and Wales, who are balancing long-term care with employment, the legal right to five days of unpaid carer’s leave. It can be taken flexibly in half or full days, and for planned commitments, from the first day of employment.
Last month, Employee Benefits reported that recruitment firm Hays introduced one week of paid carer’s leave in order to support its the UK and Ireland staff with caring responsibilities. It can be taken as five consecutive days, or flexibly as half or full days. All employees, regardless of their length of service, are entitled to it from their first day of employment.
The aim of the policy was to go beyond the one week of unpaid carer’s leave per year and to provide additional help for carer employees.
Trisha Brookes, director of people and culture at Hays UK and Ireland, said: “We’re truly committed to building a culture that allows our staff to thrive at work and at home, and this means introducing demonstrable support initiatives that work at the times in our employees lives we know can present a challenge.
“Recognising the vital role that carers play in our society is key and our new policy aims to further support our staff to be able to balance their caring responsibilities with work. In addition, we’re continuing to work with our caring community at Hays to understand what other resources and support it would be useful for them to have access to in a bid to help their caring commitments.”
