Carers in your workforce

There are 2.7 million carers in Australia. These are parents, children, siblings, partners, and friends. Caring will affect every one of your employees at some stage. They are either caring now, will care for someone in the future, or will need to care for themselves.

Creating a carer-friendly workplace is good employment practice and makes excellent business sense. There are many ways that you can better support carers in your workforce. These strategies do not have to be costly or require a major change in your organisation's operations. Even a small, simple adjustment can make a significant difference.

Why Should I Participate?

Improved Employee Wellbeing

Carer-friendly workplaces can contribute to the overall well-being of employees. When employers recognise and accommodate carers, this results in improved staff retention, reduced recruitment and training cost, reduced leave, improved staff morale and increased productivity.

Attracting Loyal Talent

Carers possess unique skills that enhance organisational performance and are valuable assets to any team. They are loyal, responsible, quick learners, and multitaskers who thrive under pressure. They excel at engaging stakeholders and contribute as exceptional problem solvers.

Increased Workplace Diversity

A diverse team offers numerous benefits, including increased productivity, creativity, and innovation. Employers enhance a team's decision-making by embracing various perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. It helps build a positive reputation as a welcoming organisation.

Access to a Larger Workforce

The Bureau of Statistics discovered that about 31% of Australian organisations needed help to recruit staff. Diversifying the workforce reduces labour shortages and expands the talent pool. Becoming a carer-friendly 'employer of choice' improves access to skilled job seekers.

Carer-friendly workplaces can contribute to the overall well-being of employees. When employers recognise and accommodate carers, this results in improved staff retention, reduced recruitment and training cost, reduced leave, improved staff morale and increased productivity.

A diverse team offers numerous benefits, including increased productivity, creativity, and innovation. Employers enhance a team's decision-making by embracing various perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. It helps build a positive reputation as a welcoming organisation.

The Bureau of Statistics discovered that about 31% of Australian organisations needed help to recruit staff. Diversifying the workforce reduces labour shortages and expands the talent pool. Becoming a carer-friendly 'employer of choice' improves access to skilled job seekers.

Carers possess unique skills that enhance organisational performance and are valuable assets to any team. They are loyal, responsible, quick learners, and multitaskers who thrive under pressure. They excel at engaging stakeholders and contribute as exceptional problem solvers.

How Can I Become a Carer-Friendly Workplace?

Our team is here to help support you in becoming a carer-friendly workplace. We can support you by providing:

  • Free training with management and organisational staff to increase awareness around who is a carer, supports available in the community and how to become a carer-friendly workplace.
  • Evidence-based resources on how to become a carer-friendly workplace, including simple and achievable steps you can take.
  • Ongoing support available. Whether you prefer phone, online or face-to-face contact, our friendly team provides flexible support when needed.

Register your interest!

Submit your expression of interest via the form below and we will be in contact with you soon.

References:

Jobsbank. (2022). Creating flexible employment roles suitable for carers. https://jobsbank.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/JB-Carers-business-pack-27102022.pdf

Carers and Employers. (2023). The business case for a carer-friendly workplace. https://carersandemployers.org.au/uploads/main/ProgramDocuments/CE-Business-Case.pdf