Changing the culture
An organisational culture which allows carers to be open about their situation is key if policies and practices are to be used by the very people they are intended for.
An organisational culture which allows carers to be open about their situation is key if these policies and practices are to be used by the very people they are intended for.
“I personally go that extra mile for them because I appreciate what they’re doing for me.”
Carer
Building an open culture, with equality of opportunity for all, is an essential part of ensuring that employees with caring responsibilities can balance work and care. Employers can have many good workplace policies and practices to attract and retain carers, however these will not be successful if the culture is not supportive and inclusive for all. The culture and working environment need to welcome and accommodate employees with caring responsibilities.
Although there is not one solution that fits all, as different organisations will have different work cultures, the policies and practices should be demonstrated and ‘be alive’ in the working environment. They should be understood and accepted at every level of the organisation.
- The first step in developing workplace support is to identify carers and ask them what they need. Be sensitive to issues of confidentiality and give employees the option of providing information anonymously.
- Many employers have found it useful to have a senior level carers champion, to be an ambassador and promote the policies available.
- specific training in order to provide effective support to carers.
- As part of the culture, there should always be opportunities for employees with caring responsibilities to feel able to discuss these in an open way. This is an important aspect in ensuring that policies are effective.
- Be proactive in creating a workplace which promotes the take-up of carer support to avoid carers feeling that they will be treated less favourably if they take up any of the policies.
- Monitor the take-up of support and determine the benefits to employees and to your organisation.
Managers – especially line managers at all levels – play a key role in implementing carer-friendly policies and practices and will benefit from.
Employers for Carers have put together a short checklist for managers to refer to if they need some guidance on supporting carers in the workplace.
We have added a Key Stats PowerPoint to the Facts and Figures page that you can use in your own workplace to make the business case for supporting carers.