Talking to your employer

You aren’t required to tell your employer that you are a carer. However, talking to your employer about your caring duties may help them to understand and accommodate your needs. It may also help you access carer’s leave and flexible working arrangements.

Learn more about:

• What you might talk about
• Flexible working arrangements

Listen to our podcasts on How to Help Someone with Cancer and Cancer Affects the Carer Too

What you might talk about

Before talking to your employer, investigate the policies your workplace has for employees with caring responsibilities or what your award says.

You and your employer might discuss:

• the impact of your caring role on your work commitments
• taking time off or setting up flexible working arrangements
• whether the caring role is likely to be short term or long term
• ways your employer may be able to support you
• the benefits for your employer if you stay in your position
• who else at work should know about your situation.

If you are thinking about resigning, talk to your employer. They may not want to lose you and may suggest some options to help you remain at work that you hadn’t thought about.

If you tell your co-workers about your caring role, they may be a source of support or provide some ideas for how the team can adapt to your changed needs. Some of your fellow employees may also be working carers. However, if you prefer to keep your caring role confidential, your employer needs to respect your wishes.

It’s hard to get back into the workforce. I never gave leaving work a second thought, but now I’ve got to focus on rebuilding my own life. It’s like going out in the world for the first time.

Ross (carer)