- 18 – 34 year old cancer carers most likely to want to move jobs due to lack of workplace support
- Over half of cancer carers (57%) say they were totally unprepared to take on the role of being a carer
- Flexible working hours and remote working top the list of what carers say would help manage their caring role
- 1 million1 working adults are estimated to be cancer carers
New in-depth insight from Reframe Cancer, the leading provider of specialist cancer navigation, has revealed the pressure working cancer carers face as they take on the dual role of caring for a loved one with cancer whilst in full or part time employment, and how UK employers risk a talent exodus if they are not supported properly.
Reframe Cancer surveyed 442 cancer carers2 across the UK who are also in full and part time paid employment. The findings reveal that over half (57%) felt totally unprepared to care for a loved one with cancer when they took on the role and lacked the knowledge about what was required of them, whilst more than six in ten (63%) said the emotional impact of caring for someone with cancer (e.g. the anxiety / worry it causes) made it difficult to keep working. It is 18-34 year old employees who face the biggest struggles here, with 67% agreeing this was the case, the highest of any age group.
The findings indicate the complexities, and every day struggles the estimated 1.1 million cancer carers face in the UK as they work and care for a loved one with cancer. With cancer cases rising every year, the number of working carers is also forecast to increase as more working adults take on caring responsibilities.
Pressure to return to work
Being a carer for someone with cancer whilst still in full or part time employment can mean balancing daily complex needs and responsibilities which can involve carers needing to take periods of time off work. This can be for anything including travelling to and co-ordinating hospital appointments, administering medicines and collecting prescriptions, as well as helping with daily tasks such as cleaning, bathing and feeding. However, the research reveals that almost half of carers (48%) said that they felt pressure to return to work as soon as possible after taking any time off to fulfil caring duties, with those aged 18 – 34 feeling the most pressure of any age group (53%) to return to the office as quickly as possible. UK employers also run the risk of dealing with a talent exodus by not providing the right support and guidance, with almost four in ten (36%) stating they wanted to move jobs due to lack of employer support during their time as a carer, again with younger carers feeling this the most of any age group, with 40% of 18-34 year olds agreeing this was the case.
There are positive signs however, for those employers that get it right. More than six in ten carers (62%) said work was a good distraction for them, 62% also said they felt they could talk openly to their colleagues about being a carer, whilst 63% said their line manager showed concern or interest when they were informed about their caring responsibilities and commitments. Additionally when asked what resources or services could help with managing their role as a carer, flexible working hours (48%), and working remotely (40%) were what carers ranked as the top two points that would help them the most, 25% also said if it was recognised as a need / requirement to take time off work.
Mark Stephenson, CEO at Reframe Cancer commented: “Providing support and the right level of employee benefits to working cancer carers is going to be an increasing need for employers over the coming years. It is not hard to see why, cancer rates amongst under 50s have risen 24%3 in the last two decades. Coupled with this carers will often take on the role of being a carer, whilst working, for 12 months, so it is a big commitment by any employee that takes this on, and one that should be fully supported by employers.
However, it’s really concerning that at this stage there are clear signs that carers, especially those aged 18 - 34, feel rushed into returning to work after having time off or don’t feel a great level of support, so much so that many want to move jobs as the whole experience has had such a negative impact on them. This is an awful burden and pressure for carers to face when they are simultaneously juggling work and giving up probably whatever free time they have to care for a loved one who is dealing with cancer.
Some employers may feel ill equipped to handle the needs of carers, but this can’t be an excuse. There are legal requirements that they must meet. At the same time they will need to be aware that insurance and EAP solutions do not cover carers and specifically cancer carers where a degree of specialist assistance is vital, so it’s important to really evaluate how this growing group of employees can be supported in the workplace.
In the long term carers will no doubt also become advocates if they are given all the guidance and support they need whilst on their caring journey.”
Find out more about how Reframe can support cancer carers here