What is the Carer's Leave Act and when did it come into force?

The Carer's Leave Act 2023 gave employees in Great Britain the right to one week of unpaid carer's leave per year from their first day of employment. It came into force on 6 April 2024. The leave can be taken flexibly, in half or full days, and covers employees providing or arranging care for a dependant with a long-term care need - including elderly relatives.

Do employers have to pay employees during carer's leave?

No. The statutory entitlement under the Carer's Leave Act is unpaid. However, employers can - and increasingly do - choose to offer paid carer's leave as an enhanced benefit. Carers UK research found that over half of working carers cannot afford to use their statutory unpaid leave, making paid carer's leave one of the most meaningful steps an employer can take.

What is a domiciliary care benefit and how does it work?

A domiciliary care benefit gives employees access to employer-funded professional in-home care for an elderly or dependent relative. The employer provides a funded care allowance; the employee books a vetted carer through a platform and the allowance covers part or all of the cost. It removes the financial and logistical barrier to accessing professional support at short notice.

Who are sandwich generation employees and why should employers support them?

Sandwich generation employees are those simultaneously raising their own children and caring for elderly or dependent relatives. The ONS found there were around 1.4 million sandwich carers aged 16 to 64 in the UK. They are disproportionately female and typically mid-career professionals. Without adequate support, many reduce their hours, decline career opportunities, or leave the workforce - representing a significant talent and retention risk for employers.

What eldercare benefits can UK employers offer beyond statutory carer's leave?

UK employers can offer paid carer's leave, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, eldercare advisory services, Employee Assistance Programmes, and funded domiciliary care. The most effective packages combine practical care access - helping employees find and fund professional in-home care - with flexibility and emotional support. Platforms like Bubble for Work can deliver funded eldercare alongside childcare through a single integrated benefit.