More UK workers are having to combine full- or part- time work with caring for an unwell or disabled loved one, with the sandwich generation looking after young children and elderly relatives, and needing more support from their bosses, according to new analysis.
“We have recorded a steady climb in the number of employees accessing specialist carer support,” explains David McCormack, CEO of HIVE360, which provides innovative employment benefits and rewards via its employee experience platform Engage.
Since July, 2000 individual requests for carer support have been made by employees of businesses using the app.
“This hidden workforce is under enormous pressure and feeling the strain,” says David, “and are seeking out telephone advice and online guidance on how to cope and manage the impact on their physical and mental health and wellbeing, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Our recent survey confirmed that workers with caring responsibilities away from work wish their employer could and would support them better, with support including flexible working, and demonstrate that they understand the impact their additional worries and pressure is having on their mental health,” adds David.
It is predicted that by 2040 one in six UK workers will balance their job with caring responsibilities, according to a report published recently by Aon, which also estimates unpaid carers provide around £132 million worth of care each year, that 2.6 million people have given up work to provide care at home, and found that almost half of workers with caring responsibilities describe their situation as stressful, with 20% falling ill themselves.
“This represents a 12% increase since 2013,” says David. “The UK’s population is ageing; around one-fifth of the UK population (19%) or around 12.3 million people was aged 65 or over in 2019, or around 12.3 million people. And it is projected there will be an additional 7.5 million people aged 65 years and over in the UK in 50 years’ time.
“Furthermore, the population of people living with dementia is set to triple by 2050, according to recent data published by Alzheimer’s Society.
“The sandwich generation is likely to grow in step with this changing profile of the UK population, and in turn, the numbers of workers juggling caring for a loved one. The new right for employees to take up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave per year announced by the government this month, is a positive step in the right direction towards giving the hidden workforce of carers the support, understanding and flexibility they need.”
HIVE360 provides its innovative employment experience platform Engage as standard to businesses that outsource their payroll and employment administration to the company. The app includes My Health, My Money, My Discounts and My Work features, which give users secure access to numerous services and information.
HIVE360 is a GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority) license holder, and is championing a new model of employment administration, redefining payroll and pension administration processing, and making employee benefits and wellbeing support more accessible to a wider pool of workers. For more information visit: www.hive360.com
*Source: Aon report: ‘The Aging Population: Why it’s time to take notice.’