Young carers charity says new leave law is "great progress for carers' employment rights"
A Dorset charity has praised new legislation that allows those caring for sick or disabled relatives or friends five days annual, unpaid leave
A legal entitlement to unpaid leave for carers has been hailed as a "huge step forward for millions" by a Dorset charity.
Under the new Carer's Leave Act, employees who are carers can take up to a week of unpaid leave every year - equating to five days for most people.
Krista Sharp from My Time Young Carers in Bournemouth called it “vital progress in improving carers' employment rights” but fears some employers “won't respond to the new legislation”.
She said: “The is a breakthrough announcement in terms of recognising flexibility and the support that carers will need as a result of their caring role but it doesn’t necessarily mean employers will be considerate of their workers’ needs.”
Carers UK found that around 600 people a day give up work so they can care due to a lack of flexibility and support.
Ms Sharp feels there is still a “huge amount” of work to be done around how employees with caring responsibilities can be supported within the workplace.
“We need to educate employers on how to give carers what they need within the workplace,” she said. “Carers don't feel empowered to have conversations with their employers because sometimes they're not met with kindness.
“They are made to feel like they’re not a good employee or that they’re asking for too much flexibility.”
According to surveys conducted by Carers UK, too many skilled and valued workers are leaving employment due to the stress of balancing work and unpaid care.
Ms Sharp added: “Young carers are calling for the same flexibility new parents receive because much like a new mother they too need to attend events, go to appointments, pick siblings up from school etc.
“This is a really powerful statement because people understand what it's like to be a new parent and they empathise with that situation, but often the similarities between that and caring aren’t drawn.”
However, under this new legislation workers who are also care are entitled to five days leave to give or arrange care for a dependant who has a physical or mental illness that requires care for more than three months.