Key takeaways
- Eligible carers have the right to request flexible working and to take time off to look after dependents in an emergency
- Flexible working and role sharing, if employers offer it, can help carers juggle work and care
- Mental health support, delivered in-person or digitally, can help carers with the mental load of their responsibilities
- Employers can choose to offer a range of financial benefits, including additional paid time off and unlimited paid holiday
Around 16% of carers in the UK have seen their income change. Thankfully there are benefits available that can make a big difference. In this article, we outline your legal rights as a cancer carer, as well as employee benefits that support your physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing, that you may be entitled to at work and might choose to request from your employer.
Legal rights for carers in paid employment
Cancer and employment law in the UK is relatively clear for employees with cancer but when it comes to working carers, there are different regulations. The Work and Families Act 2006 gives certain carers the right to apply for flexible working, including arrangements that allow them to maintain their usual income.
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended by the Employment Relations Act 1999, employees also have a right to take time off to look after dependents in an emergency. A dependent can be a child or spouse, but if supporting a parent with cancer, legislation can class them as a dependent, too. There is no set amount of time that employees can take, as it depends on the situation.
Caregiver benefits for employees
Flexible working
Around 10% of cancer carers report that support from their employer, such as flexible working, would be beneficial to them. Flexible working can take many formats, including flexi-hours and working from home, and allows employees more autonomy when juggling work and care responsibilities.
For example, if your partner is going through chemotherapy, flexible working may allow you to work in between taking them to and from appointments and looking after them at home.
Role sharing
Role sharing usually breaks down one full-time role into two or more part-time roles. It ‘s an increasingly popular flexible working arrangement and is a particularly valuable option for cancer carers who find themselves unable to maintain full-time hours alongside caring duties.
Mental health support
Studies have found that approximately half of those caring for someone with cancer meet the criteria for psychological distress. Mental health support for caregivers is a benefit that can contribute significantly to wellbeing. Support may include counselling, wellbeing apps, and access to support groups and online forums.
Financial benefits
Cancer carers often face financial troubles as a direct result of the care they provide. This can be due to loss of earnings, travel expenses and buying items for the person they are caring for.
Financial benefits can help reduce financial pressures and the expenses you incur due to caring for someone with cancer. These include:
- Additional paid time off
- Unlimited paid holiday
- Shopping discounts
- Physical wellbeing vouchers, such as free eye examinations and flu vaccinations
- Employee assistance plans
- Childcare vouchers
- Subsidised travel
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.
References
‘Working while caring for someone with cancer’, macmillan.org.uk, May 2023, https://www.macmillan.org.uk/documents/getinvolved/campaigns/workingthroughcancer/workandcaring.pdf
‘Determining the number of carers of people with cancer in the UK and understanding their support needs and the impact caring has on their lives’, macmillan.org.uk, May 2023, https://www.macmillan.org.uk/_images/cancer-carers-in-the-uk_tcm9-298126.pdf
‘Depression among caregivers of cancer patients: Updated systematic review and meta‐analysis’, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, May 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9828427
‘Under pressure the growing strain on cancer carers’, macmillan.org.uk, May 2023, https://www.macmillan.org.uk/documents/campaigns/under-pressure-the-growing-strain-on-cancer-carers-macmillan-cancer-support-september-2016.pdf