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Carer support at work

Learn about the benefits of supporting employees with unpaid caring responsibilities and find out what you can do to create a supportive workplace.

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The need for carer support in the workplace

Carers can often feel invisible, overlooked, and discriminated against in the workplace.

Research from Carers UK shows that without the right support, 22% of employees with care responsibilities will reduce their hours or give up work.

Early intervention and support is key.

Look for signs that employees with caring responsibilities are:

  • tired
  • stressed
  • struggling to manage their own physical and mental health

Employees do not have to disclose that they have caring responsibilities. However, engaging with all employees regardless of age will help you have a good understanding of who unpaid carers are within your workplace.

Carer’s Leave

The Carers Leave Act 2023 entitles all unpaid carers to take up to one week of unpaid leave from their employer per year to provide unpaid care to someone.

Find out more about Carer’s Leave on the Acas website.

Page last reviewed: 8th June 2026