BUSINESSES in Worcestershire are being encouraged to support employees who are also carers, as figures show that one in nine people are juggling a job and being someone's registered carer.

Across the UK, three million people who are registered carers are also in employment, which is the equivalent of one in nine the workplace.

A 2017 recent survey by Carers UK found that there was a general lack of understanding of the caring role at work. The report said: “More than three in five employees do not believe they have any colleagues who care for ill, older or disabled relatives – even though one in nine people in the workforce are now carers."

Carers UK wants employers, HR departments and businesses to raise the profile of working carers and improve access to support both inside and outside the workplace. 

Working for Carers is a new membership scheme for employers to help businesses identify and support carers across

their workforce and develop carer friendly workplaces.

Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC), the charity delivering the initiative across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, wants more employers to get involved and join the scheme which offers access to training, online resources and network meetings.

The charity launches its first Employer Network meeting on Wednesday, March 21 at Worcester Racecourse. Businesses which would like more details should contact Jane Taylor on jtaylor@carerworcs.org.uk or 01905 751348, or visit workingforcarers.co.uk