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Staff Carers

What support does the University offer you?

The University of Essex recognises that a number of its employees have caring responsibilities. It is committed to supporting these members of staff in a number of ways, in order for them to achieve a good balance between their work and their caring responsibilities.

If you are juggling working and caring for someone, talking to somebody at work about this (for example your line manager) is a first important step. Though you might find this difficult to do, there may be existing support you are not aware of, that could help you balance work and your caring responsibilities.

Here you can find about how the University can support you, and you can also get some information about additional benefits and support available outside University, whether you are a parent or you care for a disabled or elderly person.

Staff with children

For staff with children, the University offers:

For employees who are pregnant, the University has developed an assessment procedure to guarantee protection during pregnancy for the mother and the unborn child.

Before returning to work from maternity/adoption leave, an employee can undertake ‘Keeping in Touch’ days, intended to help with the process of resuming work after a period of leave.

The University of Essex also offers excellent childcare facilities: a day nursery for pre-school children, which also offers a holiday scheme for school children, as well as an activity club (CHUMS, at the university Sport Centre) for school children (aged 8-14) during holidays. Most parents employed by the University of Essex can also benefit from childcare vouchers, which will save you money and can be used to pay various forms of childcare.

Further support for carers at the university

For employees who may find it difficult to fulfil domestic, family and working commitments due to personal responsibilities, the University will always consider practical help through a flexible working policy (.pdf). Other arrangements for alternative working patterns include “compressed hours” (.doc).

Employees with caring responsibilities can also benefit from Time Off for Dependants, which allows employees to take a reasonable amount of time off work to deal with certain unexpected or sudden emergencies and to make any necessary longer term arrangements, as well as take Discretionary Leave (.doc).

The University is committed to ensuring the holistic wellbeing of staff at work and it provides a range of support services which are freely available and accessible to staff. For example, to deal with emotionally difficult moments, anxiety and stress, carers can take advantage of free Counselling Service. Further advice on how to deal with stress is offered to both individuals and line managers.

If you think you are treated unfairly at work because of your caring responsibilities, you can contact Harassment Advisory Network for advice.

Further support for carers

Carers have a number of legal rights, which include financial support. According to Carers UK “every year, millions of pounds of carers’ benefits are unclaimed”. Below is a list of some of the benefits you might be eligible for; please note that some of these benefits are only available for unemployed carers:

Benefits for the person you care for:

A number of organisations give detailed descriptions of these and other benefits. For example:

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Equality and Diversity, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom.
Tel: 01206 872390,  Email: diversity@essex.ac.uk
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