Over two in five (41%) working carers say they would not have a job without the option to work flexibly, new research* from Phoenix Group shows. This figure is significantly higher than among the working population at large (31%).

Ahead of Carers Week, the research by Phoenix Group, one of the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement businesses, also found that nearly two thirds (65%) of working carers would look for a new job if their current employer limited their ability to work flexible hours. The most recent Census 2021 data (provided by Carers UK) puts the estimated number of unpaid carers at 5 million in England and Wales, with a further 0.8 million in Scotland.**

More than half (55%) would start job hunting if their employer removed their working from home policy, while only 47% of the wider working population say they would do the same, highlighting the importance of comprehensive flexible working arrangements to keeping carers in the workforce.

It is estimated by Carers UK that more than 600 carers quit work to look after older and disabled relatives on a daily basis***. This is already having an impact on carers’ ability to save, with recent Phoenix Insights analysis finding that nearly half (47%) of carers have zero private pension savings at age 60 to 65. Among those aged 60 to 65, who do have pension savings, carers have 17% less than the UK average, representing a shortfall of nearly £37,000.****

Claire Hawkins, director of corporate affairs and brand at Phoenix Group and executive sponsor of Phoenix Group’s colleague Carers Network, said: "For millions of people, balancing paid work and caring for a loved one is a challenging reality*****. Too many carers are put in the unenviable position of having to choose between staying in work or caring for a loved one. That’s why it’s so important for businesses, who can benefit hugely from carers’ skills and experience, to recognise the need to enable them to work flexibly. Better access to flexible work, and the provision of paid carer’s leave, is crucial in enabling carers to remain in work for as long as they want to, so they can earn and save enough for their future."

The research also showed that more than a third (37%) of working carers have had a flexible work request refused by the business they worked for, compared to only a fifth (20%) of workers overall. This is despite 62% of carers saying they cannot fulfil their caring responsibilities unless they work flexibly. A further 62% said they believed they were more productive if they worked at home and nearly 7 in ten (68%) saying they were more productive because their employer allowed them to work flexible hours.

Previous research by Phoenix Insights, Phoenix Group’s longevity think tank, found that 59% of full-time working carers say they would return to work or increase their hours if they had the right support.******

Nearly four fifths (71%) of working carers said the government should make the right to flexible work mandatory for all employees, compared to 62% of the wider workforce, emphasising the particular importance of flexible work for people juggling work and caring responsibilities.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK said: "Having a carer-friendly employer with great flexible working can be a game-changer for unpaid carers, helping them to juggle work and unpaid care for disabled, older or ill relatives or friends. Staying in work helps avoid financial hardship in the short and longer term. It’s a win-win for carers and for employers who retain talent, which is good for productivity and for the economy."

Carers Trust CEO, Kirsty McHugh said: "This vital research by Phoenix shows how employer support for carers can have a huge impact. Carers have a wealth of skills and experience that employers can benefit from. Sadly, too many are left with no choice but to cut back their hours or leave the workforce altogether because of their caring responsibilities. This not only limits their career growth but also means businesses miss out on dedicated, talented staff. The good news is, there are solutions.  For those in work, flexible working and paid carers leave are absolutely crucial. For those out of work, specialist support from organisations who truly understand the challenges of caring is absolutely vital. Generic employment support does not work for unpaid carers – they need dedicated, specialist services."

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Phoenix Group has been working to raise awareness of the challenges faced by working carers and has taken a number of steps to support its colleagues which it encourages other businesses to consider too. These include:

• 10 days paid carers leave, available since 2020
• 5 days unpaid leave (Carers Leave Act 2023)
• Offering Flexible working to suit caring and family responsibilities (introduced in 2022)
• Carers Network for Colleagues (in operation for 10 years) where colleague who are caring for someone are able to discuss problems, support each other and show solidarity for the role they are in
• Caring for Carers initiative launched in June 2024 which sees Phoenix Group linking with charities across the UK that focus on caring. It aims to help millions of people who work and care for someone to better balance some of the challenges they might face, be they personal, financial, professional or emotional
• Phoenix Insights, Phoenix Group’s longevity think tank, has partnered with Timewise, the flexible work experts, to create the Part-time Works Podcast, a podcast series to explore, understand and celebrate good part-time working.  Series 2 is being released on 16th June, focusing on the importance of good quality part-time work for those with caring responsibilities.