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Carers’ rights in the spotlight
Adrian Fryer
The government has launched a consultation on strengthening employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children, signalling that carers’ rights may remain firmly on the employment law agenda in the years ahead.
The consultation follows the introduction of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023, which gave eligible employees the right to take up to one week of unpaid leave each year to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need. However, the government is now seeking views on whether that entitlement goes far enough.
Three potential reforms are under consideration. The first is extending the current entitlement to unpaid carer’s leave beyond one week per year. The second is introducing a statutory ‘right to return’, similar to protections available during maternity leave, for employees taking longer periods away from work because of caring responsibilities. The third, and perhaps most significant proposal, is the introduction of a period of paid carer’s leave.
Alongside these proposals, the consultation also considers “Hugh’s Law”, which would provide leave and financial support for parents and caregivers immediately following the diagnosis of a serious illness in a child.
While no changes have yet been confirmed, the consultation reflects growing recognition of the challenges faced by employees who balance work with caring responsibilities. For many organisations, the practical impact of caring commitments is already being felt through issues such as absence, wellbeing, recruitment and retention.
For HR professionals, the consultation is worth watching closely. Any move towards longer or paid leave rights could have significant workforce planning and cost implications. More broadly, it may prompt employers to review whether their existing family-friendly and wellbeing policies provide sufficient support for carers, particularly at a time when an ageing population means more employees are likely to have caring responsibilities alongside their jobs.
The consultation closes on 1 September 2026.