Simplyhealth comments on Employment Support for Carers MPs report

The House of Commons Work & Pensions Select Committee has yesterday published its report following its inquiry into employment support for carers.

The report was launched in December 2017 to determine what support working carers curretly receive, what barriers there are to securing and remaining in employment and what further support is needed.

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We’re really pleased to see the House of Commons Work & Pensions Select Committee inquiry into employment support for carers recommends a number of measures, including giving employees the right to request flexible working patterns from the first day of employment.

In our submission to the inquiry we stated that flexible working is crucial to retaining working carers. The lack of flexibility in the workplace means that many carers leave the workforce prematurely, reduce their working hours or take on a role that doesn’t match their skill set. Our research found that 44% of committed carers’ (those who frequently provide care) agree that they have changed or reduced their hours to be able to care, with 35% agreeing they have taken a step down at work.

We strongly believe there should be greater support for working carers and hopefully the forthcoming Social Care Green Paper will outline proposals to support them.

Raman Sankaran, Chief Commercial Officer of Simplyhealth

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