Employers for Carers (EfC) hosted its Spring Networking Event on Tuesday 16 April at Savills. The hybrid event was held at a pivotal time for carer’s rights and recognition in the workplace, following the 4 April adoption of both the Carer’s Leave Act and Employee Relations (Flexible Working) Act.  

The event theme of Going Beyond the Carer’s Leave Act provided an opportunity for the group to dive into the various strategies and approaches organisations can implement to go beyond the statutory requirements.  

The event was opened by Carers UK’s Chair, Nick Baird, who welcomed EfC members, both new and longstanding, and highlighted the growing number of Carer Confident accredited organisations among the group. 

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, followed in sharing the collective effort that was involved in passing the Act to provide carers with five days unpaid leave through parliament, and thanked those EfC members who supported the campaign along the way. She brought attention to the new and revised EfC Digital Resources that are available to help members implement the Act in their workplace and encouraged members to have a look. Helen then set the scene for the event theme, by sharing how Carers UK practices what it preaches when it comes to supporting carers in the workplace.  

Helen concluded by speaking to the charity’s upcoming priorities to campaign for enhanced employment rights for carers of up to 10 days paid leave and securing caring as the 10th protected characteristic. Finally, she highlighted events that members could get involved with in the coming months, with the inaugural Future of Work Employment Conference being held on 14 May and Carers Week (Theme: Putting carers on the map) from 10-16 June. 

Three EfC members then shared what their organisations have been doing to go beyond legislation in providing support to carers in their workforce. We had speakers from hosts Savills, Notting Hill Genesis and Clyde and Co.  

The member presenters and Helen Walker then took questions from participants in the room and online. The questions touched upon capacity issues of carers to engage in employee networks, consistency with line manager support and offering flexibility for different employment contracts.  

Once the panelist session concluded, the event closed in its usual fashion, with networking.  

The next EfC Networking event will be held on Thursday 11 July and invites will be with key contacts shortly.