A Working Checklist for Carers and Work
Carers and Work: what is worth doing, what is worth avoiding, and when to stop and see a doctor.
Combining paid employment with unpaid caring. A large number of carers leave work entirely, and most did not know what they were entitled to ask for.
Key takeaways
- Carer's Leave Act 2023: gives eligible employees unpaid carer's leave
- Flexible working: can be requested from day one of employment
- Most useful single change: Tell your employer; rights generally depend on them knowing.
- Commonest mistake: Leaving work before exploring flexible options.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Do
- Tell your employer; rights generally depend on them knowing
- Request flexible working formally, in writing
- Ask whether your employer has a carers policy or network
Do not
- Leaving work before exploring flexible options
- Assuming you have no rights because the caring is unpaid
The numbers behind the list
The reasoning behind both lists, in numbers.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Carer's Leave Act 2023 | gives eligible employees unpaid carer's leave |
| Flexible working | can be requested from day one of employment |
| Time off for dependants | a right in emergencies |
| Employers | many have a carers policy |
If you change one thing
Tell your employer; rights generally depend on them knowing. That one first, and the others when you get to them.
Where to go next
- The Evidence on Carers and Work, Without the Hype
- Understanding Carers and Work: A Plain-English Explainer
- Carers and Work — the reference entry
- When Caring Ends: What the Evidence Actually Says
- What the Guidance Really Says About Recognising Yourself as a Carer
When to speak to a doctor
See a GP if caring and work together are affecting your health, and ask about a fit note with adjustments rather than a full sign-off. Contact Carers UK on 0808 808 7777 for advice on rights and benefits.
Where this comes from
- Carers UK — carers rights at work
- Health and Safety Executive — work-related stress
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
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