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Should carers get additional leave from their workplace?

20/07/2020 821 Views Other Add to Favourite 4 Comments 5
 
There are many people out there who need to care for a sick family member and must take time out of work in order to do so. In turn, they lose out on money that they could be earning if they did not have to care for someone. Carers save the NHS a lot of money, as it saves a community hospital bed, or people staying in hospital unnecessarily due to lack of anywhere to safely go. What are your views on giving carers a right to a week of additional leave for caring responsibilities? Has anyone had to take time out of their own work to fulfil caring responsibilities? Do you think there should be a 'carers leave' so that workers can get paid whilst having to care for someone who needs it? What kind of conditions do you think are appropriate for carers leave? What are your thoughts?
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4 Comments

  • NazminA

    24/07/2020

    100%. There are two groups involved in this, carers and those they care for. Those they care for may be children, elderly, infirm, those with physical or mental health issues and disabilities. Some may need a lot of support, some now and then. What is key is that when it is absolutely necessary, they have their carer able to care for them. Allowing carers to have additional leave ensures that those emergency situations can be easily managed without having any adverse impact on anyone. There also needs to be more respite and support for carers generally. Imagine working in an office all day and then coming home and being a carer? It would most certainly take a physical and mental toll and it is so important that those who selflessly care for others, are also cared for.

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  • MeowZee

    24/07/2020

    Absolutely yes, and I also agree that they should be paid to have carers leave. However I also understand that not all employers (especially small businesses) would be able to afford to allow extra leave (regardless of whether it is paid or unpaid) so it is really important to ensure that there are appropriate support mechanisms to ensure that there is no resentment towards any carers taking leave or any discrimination directed towards them. We do not want to be in a situation where carers cannot even get jobs because of the possibility that they may need to request leave! This would be wholly unfair and is very likely to affect women the most, who are more likely to be carers.

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  • GrannyBibi

    24/07/2020

    As a full-time carer myself, I absolutely agree that those who are carers and are in employment should receive additional leave and will go as far as to say that it should also be paid. I know that some employers will be unhappy about this but then the government should make a pot of money available to pay for such leave. There is no bigger guilt of having to have to constantly choose between finances and caring responsibilities, or being worried about letting colleagues down versus letting down the individual you care for (especially if it is all down to you and their life could be in danger without you, or their quality of life deeply impacted).

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  • Noor

    24/07/2020

    I agree that there should be paid carers' leave. Considering the money saved through unpaid carers, I don't see why this hasn't already been implemented. Imagine carers stopped taking responsibility for their loved ones how would the state cope with the financial burden of providing specialist care in some cases. I understand this will be difficult for employers having to meet the needs of another 'group' of people, but I feel carers are making a huge contribution to society so they deserve some appreciation

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