Over 120,000 unpaid carers in Wales granted new employment rights as groundbreaking Carer’s Leave Act comes into force.
Over 120,000 unpaid carers in Wales granted new employment rights as groundbreaking Carer’s Leave Act comes into force.
• 2.3 million workers gain new employment rights in GB, including nearly 120,000 in Wales. • Over 1 million employers across GB will have to offer new right.
Over 120,000 workers with unpaid caring responsibilities in Wales will be entitled to take up to five days unpaid leave when the new Carer’s Leave Act comes into force on Saturday 6th April 2024.
New analysis of Census 2021 data by Carers Wales shows that there are around 98,000 people in full-time employment in Wales who were also looking after someone who is elderly, disabled or with a long-term health condition, and 51,000 people in part-time employment who were also unpaid carers. The new rights are particularly important as previous Carers UK research shows around 200 people a day give up work to care due to a lack of flexibility and support. Research shows that in Wales every year between 2010-20 approximately 93,000 people in paid employment became unpaid carers – over 250 people every day. For the first time, employees who are carers will be able to take up to 5 days unpaid leave to better balance work with caring responsibilities each year. Employees can take time off in full or half days, or in a whole block of five days. Those taking time off will have the same employment protection associated with other forms of family-related leave, such as protection from dismissal as a result of having taken the leave.
Charity Carers Wales, part of Carers UK, which led the campaign for those juggling work and unpaid care, has seen support for the new legislation from employers, unpaid carers, other stakeholders, unions, representative bodies and unpaid carers. Claire Morgan, Director of Carers Wales, said: “The implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act means that more than 120,000 people in Wales who juggle employment with their caring role will benefit from some deserved flexibility.
“Being an unpaid carer takes a huge toll on people’s health and well-being, and can be a key driver in stripping people of their identity and pushing them into poverty. Research shows that unpaid carers contribute over £10bn to the Welsh economy over a 12 month period, saving health and social care services a huge amount of money while giving support to the people who are most in need across our communities.
Over 120,000 unpaid carers in Wales granted new employment rights as groundbreaking Carer’s Leave Act comes into force.
Over 120,000 unpaid carers in Wales granted new employment rights as groundbreaking Carer’s Leave Act comes into force.
• 2.3 million workers gain new employment rights in GB, including nearly 120,000 in Wales.
• Over 1 million employers across GB will have to offer new right.
Over 120,000 workers with unpaid caring responsibilities in Wales will be entitled to take up to five days unpaid leave when the new Carer’s Leave Act comes into force on Saturday 6th April 2024.
New analysis of Census 2021 data by Carers Wales shows that there are around 98,000 people in full-time employment in Wales who were also looking after someone who is elderly, disabled or with a long-term health condition, and 51,000 people in part-time employment who were also unpaid carers.
The new rights are particularly important as previous Carers UK research shows around 200 people a day give up work to care due to a lack of flexibility and support. Research shows that in Wales every year between 2010-20 approximately 93,000 people in paid employment became unpaid carers – over 250 people every day.
For the first time, employees who are carers will be able to take up to 5 days unpaid leave to better balance work with caring responsibilities each year. Employees can take time off in full or half days, or in a whole block of five days. Those taking time off will have the same employment protection associated with other forms of family-related leave, such as protection from dismissal as a result of having taken the leave.
Charity Carers Wales, part of Carers UK, which led the campaign for those juggling work and unpaid care, has seen support for the new legislation from employers, unpaid carers, other stakeholders, unions, representative bodies and unpaid carers.
Claire Morgan, Director of Carers Wales, said: “The implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act means that more than 120,000 people in Wales who juggle employment with their caring role will benefit from some deserved flexibility.
“Being an unpaid carer takes a huge toll on people’s health and well-being, and can be a key driver in stripping people of their identity and pushing them into poverty. Research shows that unpaid carers contribute over £10bn to the Welsh economy over a 12 month period, saving health and social care services a huge amount of money while giving support
to the people who are most in need across our communities.