Caring for a loved one can reshape your working life. But with the right support, you can still have a rewarding career – without having to put it on hold.
Many employers want to support their employees and are able to offer flexible working arrangements to fit around caring responsibilities. Whether you need time off, a change in hours, or a more flexible approach to your day, it’s possible to create a working arrangement that supports both your career and your caring role.
Talking to your employer can help you find a working pattern that suits your needs and those of your workplace. Here’s what you can do to help you feel ready to kickstart that conversation.
1. Think about the support you need
First things first: think about what would help you balance your work and caring commitments. For example, do you need to change your working hours? Are there particular days you need to work from home? Do you need any adjustments to your current work duties?
Understanding what you need can help you feel better prepared when you go into the conversation. Plus, it will help keep the conversation focused, with talking points centred around your support requirements.
2. Get clued-up on company policies
Next, take a look at your company’s internal policies around flexible working, carer’s leave, or occupational health support. This can give you a good idea of what existing support is already available.
You may find that your company policies would give you the support you need without a formal change to your employment terms. For example, they may allow you to flex your hours or days in the office on an informal basis. But if you need to submit a formal request to HR, the policy should explain how you and your manager can set the wheels in motion.
3. It’s time to talk
Once you know what support you need, and what existing support is available, you can use this knowledge to help you have a confident, constructive conversation with your employer.
Be open and clear about any requests you make, and give your employer time to make any necessary changes. It’s also worth remembering that UK employees have a statutory (legal) right to request flexible working, allowing you to request changes to where, when, or how you work. It can be helpful to talk through how any adjustments can work for both you and your employer, and it gives you both an opportunity to agree to a formal – or informal – arrangement.
4. Keep the conversation going
Once you have a formal or informal flexible working arrangement in place, it can be helpful to have regular check-ins with your employer about how it’s going. This gives you a chance to review the current arrangements, if these are helping you balance your commitments, and if you need any further adjustments.
There may be occasions where you need to take short-notice or long-term time off work too. If this happens, it’s important to speak to your employer about your specific circumstances. It might help to structure your conversations into three parts:
- Before you take leave: If you need an extended period away, discuss who will cover your work and how you’ll stay in touch. Put plans in place for a smooth handover before you step away – as you may not always have much notice when you need to take leave.
- When you return to work: Discuss coming back to work as early as possible, once you know your return date. This allows plenty of time for you and your employer to get ready for your return, and put any new working arrangements into place.
- If your caring responsibilities change: Your caring needs may change unexpectedly, which may impact your working schedule. Raise the issue as early as possible to explore any necessary adjustments.
Where to get additional support
With some time, planning, and support from your employer, it’s very possible to balance a rewarding career with caring for a loved one. And remember, you’re not alone. There are lots of resources available that can help you on your caring journey, including Carers UK, which has a wide range of practical and wellbeing support, as well as a dedicated helpline. You can also get in touch with Citizens Advice to understand if you’re eligible for carer’s allowance and/or universal credit.