Who are the carers in your workplace – how can they be supported?
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
Understand how many employees have caring responsibilities.
Suggestions
- Conduct an anonymous survey to determine the support you can offer.
- If you don’t want to do a survey, use the Census metric of 1 in 8 – if you employ 24, at least 3 staff are likely to be carers.
- Our survey template, developed by diversity specialists Diversitas, may help! Or, weave questions about caring into existing staff engagement processes.
- Collect information in ‘new hire’ documentation.
- Create a poll on your intranet
- Show that you’re an organisation that is committed to being CareWise. Download a CareWise poster and display it in staff gathering places, like the lunchroom, hallways or by the photocopier.
Build awareness by hosting a workshop for carers in your workplace.
Suggestions
- Show CareWise commitment by having a senior manager or the CEO introduce the event.
- Tell caring staff about your organisation’s flexible work, reasonable accommodation, and relevant leave policies.
- Carers NZ can help you plan a successful event – get in touch!
- We can provide helpful resources, too.
Profile caring employees in staff communications to build awareness about what it’s like to be a carer, who they support in their family / whānau, and why your organisation has become CareWise.
Suggestions
- Quote senior managers and the owner/CEO in staff communications.
- Share links, stories and resources from Carers NZ on your staff Facebook page, intranet, or places staff visit.
- Share Carers NZ’s magazine, Family Care – it’s an easy way to support caring staff, and every issue includes CareWise tips and news.
