Member Article

How to help staff who are also ‘carers’

North Tyneside Carers Centre are running a breakfast event on 21 June which will be a real help to businesses in the region in terms of staff absences and saving money.

The event will show what businesses can do to help themselves when they have employees who are also carers. Most people will experience at least one episode of caring. Already 1 in 7 of the workforce will be caring for someone who is ill, frail or has a disability. But with the number of carers in the UK set to rise from 6 million to 9 million over the next 30 years, the proportion of working carers is also likely to increase significantly. Already 90% of working carers are aged 30 plus – employees in their prime employment years. The peak age for caring is also 45-64 when many employees will have gained valuable skills and experience. With fewer young people entering the job market – and in the current economic climate - there has never been a more important time to focus on the benefits of retaining skilled workers rather than incurring the costs of recruiting and retraining new staff.

Speaking on behalf of the Carers’ Centre Julie King stated ’“There are many simple but effective measures that employers can take to improve staff retention and increase productivity. Organisations that have introduced flexible working and special leave arrangements for carers have seen many benefits. National Carers Week is an important opportunity to for us to talk to local businesses about how we can help them develop carer friendly policies which will save them money. We are delighted to be working with the Chamber of Commerce to support businesses in the region. “

David Bavaird Chair of North Shields Chamber of Trade and Commerce said “Three in five of us will become carers at some point in our lives. Most of us will just accept it, get on and do the best we can, because it’s somebody we care about very much. The Chamber is pleased to be working with North Tyneside Carers’ Centre to support businesses to better understand how they can work with employees who are carers in what can be a difficult time.”

This free event starts at 8am and finishes at 10am and breakfast will be served. Anyone who would like to attend should contact the Centre by e mail to julie.king@ntcarers.co.uk or by telephone 0191 643 2295.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North Tyneside Business Forum .