Renfrewshire Council

Marking the start of Carers Week 2024 (10-16 June), on Monday we officially launched enhancements to our Carers Leave policy. The changes include more support for colleagues with caring responsibilities and improved guidance and processes for line managers.

For colleagues this means they can:

• apply to be placed on the carers register and request paid carers leave online using ERP Business World
• request to be placed on the carers register from day one of employment
• request 'Me Time' (respite) to support their emotional and physical health.  

For line managers, this means they can now use ERP Business World to:

• check if the person requesting carers leave is on our carers register
• approve or decline requests for carers leave
• record the absence as paid carers leave.

Head of People and OD, Raymond Cree, said: "I've heard many stories of the struggles faced by working carers and the impact this can have on every area of their lives. Sadly, those struggles often go unnoticed.

"My team and I are passionate about supporting our colleagues with caring responsibilities. Having already achieved Carers Positive Exemplar status, thanks to our modern and flexible practices, we're pleased to be implementing further changes that will enhance this flexibility and support.

'Putting Carers on the Map' this Carers Week

The theme for Carers Week 2024 is 'Putting Carers on the Map' which aims to raise awareness about the role of carers, the challenges many face, and highlight the help and support available.

Our Carer's Leave policy is just one part of a wider support package we offer with the wellbeing of our working carers at its core. There's a host of online resources for colleagues and their line managers, including useful tools and techniques, e-learning, and our Carers Connected forum which is a supportive peer network for working carers.

For team leader and working carer, Ellen Pyra, our existing support has already made a huge difference to her life and she welcomes these further policy changes which are set to help more colleagues achieve a positive work-life balance. Read Ellen's story.

RenTalk—Support for working carers and enhancements to Carers Leave Policy

Join us on Thursday 20 June, via Microsoft Teams to hear from our People and Organisational Development team about our support for working carers and the recent changes to our Carers Leave policy. It's a great opportunity to ask questions and take part in a discussion with colleagues.

Invites will be sent to all colleagues on our schools and corporate email network. If you wish to attend the session but do not have a work email address, you can contact gillian.oneill@renfrewshire.gov.uk who will send you a link to join the session from your personal email address You can also send them any questions you have in advance so that they are covered during the discussion.

Your views and feedback are important to us

If you are juggling work and caring responsibilities, our People and OD team would love to hear from you.

Let them know what being a working carer is like for you, how useful you find the information and supports at work and what else could make a difference.

Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the Carers Week 2024 survey before Friday 28th June 2024.

A reminder of our pledge to our working carers

"We pledge to make caring "Visible, Valued and Supported". We are a carer friendly employer, endorsing a culture of support for our carers, to show that we both recognise and value the contribution that our carers make to society. In doing so we support our carers with our positive flexible working practices and carer friendly policies including our carers leave policy. We will provide platforms and support for our carers to tell their stories in a safe and supportive space."

Visit our 'Council staff with caring responsibilities' webpage for full details on the range of support available.

Published Wednesday 12 June 2024