Carers support framework will help employees to balance work and caring commitments

Crawford & Company® (NYSE: CRD-A and CRD-B) is proud to announce the launch of its Carers Policy and support framework for employees in the UK.

According to the 2021 Census, there are 2.5 million unpaid carers in employment in England and Wales (excluding full-time students). Carers UK estimates that an average of 600 people a day leave work to provide care, while 75 percent of carers in employment are worried about their ability to continue balancing work and caring responsibilities.[1]

As part of our new framework, Crawford is offering a week of paid carers’ leave annually to help our employees manage their caring and work responsibilities. Employees will be able to take carers’ leave an hour at a time, as well as in larger blocks, to give them greater flexibility in balancing their commitments.

Crawford will also support employees caring for adults in the same way it supports parents by providing additional unpaid leave that mirrors existing parental leave. During challenging periods, this will enable carers to be with loved ones at key moments while remaining secure in the knowledge that they can retain their job.

The Carers Policy also introduces Crawford’s “Care Out Loud” culture, a new way for employees to talk to colleagues about their caring responsibilities. Care Out Loud will help to normalize employees’ caring activities by encouraging openness and authentic communication, empowering employees to be open about their need to stay at home to care for sick dependents and be confident about requesting flexible working. It also introduces the Caring For Others Network Group to encourage employees to share their experiences with colleagues.

Commenting on the launch of the Carers Policy, Lisa Bartlett, chief operating officer, International, Crawford & Company, said: “A growing number of people are battling with balancing work and care.”

“At Crawford, we want to support our employees with those responsibilities, whatever their life stage. Being able to manage the pressures of both roles can be extremely challenging and it is imperative that companies acknowledge this. As an employer, Crawford is focused on retaining talent and this new policy is designed to support employee wellbeing so our people can continue in their roles while managing their caring responsibilities.”

“Caring can have a major impact on health and wellbeing, and carers can often feel lonely,” she added. “Crawford’s Caring Out Loud culture and the Caring For Others Network Group will help to relieve the burden on our employees who have an additional role as carers and will connect them with colleagues in order to share their experiences.”

[1] Policy and research: Key facts and figures about caring, Carers UK

Content provided by Crawford & Company.