Employer support for unpaid carers in the workplace

Thousands of people across West Yorkshire juggle paid work with caring for a loved one - often without their employer ever knowing. A new initiative is helping organisations change that.

As part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, the Employer Support for Unpaid Carers in the Workplace project is transforming how organisations recognise and support staff with caring responsibilities.

Around one in seven employees is an unpaid carer (TUC, 2024). Evidence shows that when carers are supported, businesses benefit too - with improved wellbeing, stronger staff retention and increased productivity.

Delivered by local carer organisations, the project offers free, tailored support to employers across West Yorkshire. This includes employer forums to share good practice, awareness training for managers and teams and bespoke organisational support to help review policies, set up carer networks and embed carer-friendly workplace practices.

“We want a future where supporting working carers is part of every organisation’s culture,” says Sharon Daley, Project Coordinator-Carers, Self Advocacy and Inclusion Services, Cloverleaf Advocacy. “When we support unpaid carers, we strengthen our entire workforce.”

Read more on the Healthy Working Life Programme case study pages.