Company-level measures for working carers

1. wrc Company-level measures for working carers Study for the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (2010) Kevin Cullen Work Research Centre (WRC)

2. wrc Focus • Working carers… • Workers who also have informal care responsibilities (outside of their job)… • May be caring for: • children with disabilities or long-term illness • adults (e.g. spouse/partner or adult child) with disabilities or long-term illness • older people in need of care • Measures at company level... • Measures implemented by individual organisations (employers) • May be: • public sector • private sector • non-profit sector

3. wrc Two strands to the study… • Overview report • Policy context (including social dialogue) • Challenges faced by working carers • Analysis of existing company-level practices • Case studies • 20 companies • 4 countries • DE • IE • NL • UK • ‘Forerunner’ countries

4. wrc Policy context • EU level • Labour legislation (limited; mainly only on ‘parental’ leave so far) • Other policy (topic is on various agendas, but not very concrete) • Social dialogue (discussed; parental leave in framework agreement) • Member State level • Labour legislation (limited; mainly on leave, sometimes flexible working) • Other legislation (equality/anti-discrimination, carer supports) • Social dialogue (sectoral collective agreements e.g. DE) • Variety of promotional initiatives (NL, DE, UK…)

5. wrc • Supra-company: • statutory provisions • sectoral collective agreements • other sectoral dimensions Minimumprovisions Better thanminimum Company-level initiative Company-level measures New /original / additionalmeasures How company-level measures may originate

6. wrc Company level measures - Framework

7. wrc Carers Leave – ‘better than the minimum’ • Energy company (UK) • Additional leave; part-payment (for short-term leave) • Insurance company; Pharmaceuticals company (NL) • Extended eligibility; additional leave; part-payment (short-term) • Public sector (IE) • Careful examination of downsides; help to return early • Energy company (UK) • Contact during longer-leave; support on return

8. wrc Hours reduction (part-time working) • Electrical goods company (DE) • Salary top-up for carers who are working part-time • Insurance company (DE) • Spreading payments over a 'family phase' of reduced hours • Public sector (IE) • 'Term-time' equivalent available to all, not just parents

9. wrc Flexitime Commonly provided, many variations…. • Public sector (IE) • ‘Pick and mix’ – more than 44 possible arrangements • Transport company (NL) • Flexible rosters and flexi-pooling • Energy company (UK) • Organisation of team-working in way that promotes transparency/understanding of flexible arrangements for working carers

10. wrc Accessibility and interruptions at work • Social care provider (NL) • Allows short interruptions of working day to go home to care • Pharmaceutical company (NL) • Policy allows use of phone, e-mail and internet to deal with caring issues during working hours • Energy company (UK) • By arrangement with line manager, can use phone for caring purposes whilst at work; privacy and use of company-supplied mobile phone also possible

11. wrc Information, counselling (on caring issues) • Health insurer (NL) • Company help desk and care agency • Energy company (UK) • Advice service for carers, also available to their families • Chemical company (DE) • Information and counselling service, shared with other companies in the region

12. wrc Organising or providing care • Health insurance fund; pharmaceutical company (DE) • External company contracted to help employees find care facilities • Chemical company; pharmaceutical company (DE) • Company supports volunteer network (retirees, partners etc.)to provide care and other supports – e.g. provides insurance • Social care provider (NL) • Employees can use company’s care services free of charge (even if the person cared for is not a client of the organisation)

13. wrc Awareness, understanding and skills • Health insurer (NL) • Toolkits for managers and staff • Car manufacturer (DE) • Working and caring is a topic in the company’s continuing education for staff (as part of ‘dignity at work’ theme) • Social care provider (UK) • Workshops on the working and caring issue, with direct involvement of carers to share their experiences

14. wrc Synthesis • The cases… • a broad and rich spectrum of measures • some are extensive, others are more limited • some are formal, others informal (combination of the two may be best) • most involve work accommodations, many also address caring needs (as a main focus in a few cases) • …but • these examples are from forerunner companies (in forerunner countries)

15. wrc What next? • Raising awareness and promoting good practice • Amongst companies • Also at policy and social dialogue levels • Ensuring wider and more consistent provision • Labour legislation (EU and Member State) • Formal provisions in social dialogue (EU, Member State, sectoral) • Joined-up approach • Better integration of employment policy (and practice) and home/community care service policy (and practice)