Help and support
Carer’s Guide to juggling work
and care
Managing all the challenges that caring brings as well as your job
sometimes feels like a losing battle; where you’re doing everything but
none of it particularly well. If you are juggling work with looking after
someone, you are not alone - there are three million working carers in
the UK.
We’ve put together some
tips on what might help
when juggling work and
care.
Know your rights
Everyone has rights in
their workplace and some
of these may help you as
a carer. For instance the
right to request flexible
working, time off in
emergencies, parental
leave and protection from
18
discrimination might
support you in your caring
role. It’s also worth checking
with HR, reading your staff
handbook or contract to
see if your workplace offers
anything in addition that
might help. whether your employer
is likely to be supportive.
Find out by asking your
colleagues, HR staff or a
union representative. If you
discover other carers at
work, you could try talking
to your employer together.
Speak to someone at work
Telling work you are a
carer is not always as
simple as it sounds, you
might feel it depends on Start a network
Your organisation might
have a carers’ network
to share tips and provide
support. Meeting people in
carersuk.org