Every year, Carers Rights Day (which complements Carers Week) shines a spotlight on the invaluable contribution of the UK’s estimated 5.8 million unpaid carers, including working carers, individuals who dedicate their time and energy to supporting others without financial reward.
On Thursday, November 20, 2025, this national awareness day returns with the theme "Know Your Rights, Use Your Rights", focusing on empowering carers with knowledge about their entitlements. This year, there is a special emphasis on those who juggle their caring responsibilities alongside paid employment: working carers.
The Hidden Workforce: Working Carers
Each day, around 12,000 people begin an unpaid caring role for a family member or friend. Many are employed and face the daily challenge of balancing work commitments with providing essential care at home. Despite their pivotal role in society, working carers often go unrecognised, both by themselves and by their employers, and may be unaware of the legal protections and support available to them.
The Unique Challenges Facing Working Carers
For working carers, life can be a constant balancing act. They may need to manage medical appointments during office hours, respond to emergencies, or provide personal care before or after work. These demands can lead to stress, fatigue, and even financial hardship if they have to reduce hours or leave employment altogether.
Workplace cultures are not always attuned to the needs of carers. Many employees worry about discussing their caring responsibilities for fear of being perceived as less committed or capable. This can result in missed opportunities for support and reasonable adjustments that could make a significant difference.
Understanding Your Rights as a Working Carer
Carers Rights Day 2025 urges all working carers to become familiar with their rights, knowledge that can be transformative in both professional and personal spheres.
Unpaid Carer’s Leave
A major milestone was reached in 2024 with the introduction of the Carer’s Leave Act. This legislation grants employees up to 1 week of unpaid leave per year specifically for caring duties. While this may not solve every problem faced by working carers, it offers vital flexibility during times of crisis or when extra care is needed.
Flexible Working Arrangements
Another critical right for working carers is the ability to request flexible working from day one of employment. Under recent changes to employment law, anyone, including unpaid carers, can ask for changes such as altered start and finish times, compressed hours, job sharing, or remote work arrangements. Importantly, these requests can now be made twice a year, providing greater adaptability as caring situations evolve.
Protection Against Discrimination
Being a carer is not a standalone protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. However, carers are protected from discrimination and harassment by association with a person who has a protected characteristic, such as a disability or is elderly.
Health and Wellbeing Support
Working carers have additional rights intended to protect their health. They can ask their GP practice to record them as a carer on their medical records, which can help them receive tailored support and access specific interventions. If they are the main carer for someone vulnerable or receive Carer's Allowance, they are also entitled to free annual flu vaccinations
Accessing Support Through Assessments
Carers can request a carer's assessment from local authorities (and a similar Adult Carer Support Plan in Scotland) regardless of how much care they provide or whether they share caring duties with others. This assessment looks at what support might help them continue in their role while maintaining their own wellbeing - vital for those navigating employment alongside caregiving.
Making Change Happen: The Role of Employers
Employers play a crucial part in supporting working carers. By fostering open communication and awareness around carer’s rights, including signposting resources and offering practical support such as flexible schedules, they help retain valuable staff members who might otherwise be forced out of work due to inflexible policies.
Progressive organisations go further by establishing carer-friendly workplace policies: setting up staff networks for carers, training managers on carer issues, and ensuring access to information about legal entitlements.
Empowerment Through Awareness
Carers Rights Day 2025 is more than just a date on the calendar, it is a call for action across society. For working carers especially, understanding your rights means you do not have to struggle alone; support exists if you know where and how to access it.
By spreading awareness among employers, policymakers, health professionals, and most importantly among carers themselves, we move closer towards a society where no one has to choose between earning a living and caring for someone.
