The employment consequences of caring for older people

This paper describes and discusses an exploratory study which highlights the difficulties faced by employees attempting to balance work with caring for an older adult. Methodological issues arising from the study are explored and issues for further research considered. A significant proportion of the elderly population is cared for by those in full-time employment. This situation will become yet more significant given the current demographic changes and the pressures that carers are increasingly experiencing to remain in employment. A ‘care audit’ profiling the workforce of a large company was undertaken to explore the issues and the effects of caregiving on employment. Over three-quarters of the 123 employees who responded reported that they either are, have been, or will be, providing care for an adult in the next few years. Many reported or anticipated disruption at work as a result of caring.