Supporting working parents and carers

With the government’s announcement that people can only leave home for work if they can't work from home coming alongside the 'new normal' of school closures and the need for children to be sent home to isolate, those with caring responsibilities are feeling the strain.

We all know that people don’t just leave their personal lives at the door when they come into work, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic has thrown that into sharper focus than ever before. With many employees juggling work with childcare responsibilities or caring for elderly relatives – those who may not have previously even considered themselves as carers are likely viewing their responsibilities in a whole new light.

Most employers have long had flexible working arrangements in place, especially since the start of the pandemic. Employers should speak with parents and carers, to be aware of how they can support them and to agree c