The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 came into force on Saturday 6th April 2024, giving people who provide care to a family member, friend or relative the right to up to five days of unpaid leave from work to fulfil their caring responsibilities.
John Stevenson MP supported this legislation in Parliament and is delighted that 4388 of unpaid carers in Carlisle will now have access to these new workplace rights.
According to research from Carers UK, up to 2.3 million employees across Great Britain could benefit, while over 1 million employers will have to implement this right for their workforce.
Carers UK estimates that, on average, 600 people a day have to give up work in order to care for older, ill or disabled relatives and friends due to a lack of support and flexibility in the workplace.
Having this additional flexibility will help unpaid carers to cope with the challenging task of balancing employment alongside their unpaid caring responsibilities.
John Stevenson said “I am pleased this act is now a reality, helping millions of people with the flexibility they need to help care for their loved ones. I also welcome the fact that so many employers have already supported and implemented this.”
Leading employers who already offer Carer’s Leave to their employees also say that this kind of support can help to deliver business benefits; improving productivity overall through better staff retention, by reducing recruitment costs, and by supporting employee wellbeing.
Carers are encouraged to find out more information about their rights at work on the Carers UK website: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/work-and-career/the-carers-leave-act-2024/
Employers can visit Carers UK’s business forum, Employers for Carers: Employers for Carers | Carers UK