If you feel comfortable doing so, let your employer and work colleagues know all about your caring responsibilities so they can support you. Try and anticipate any leave you will need to take by being organised at work. Others can then pick up and finish your tasks if needed during your absence.

Discrimination against workers because of their caring responsibilities is against the law. You are perfectly entitled to ask for time off to fulfill your caring responsibilities. Your employer must carefully assess your request to accommodate your caring needs and, in some instances, will be acting unlawfully if your request is not accommodated. If your employer is uncertain about his/her responsibilities, point them to this Gateway's fact sheet Carers and Work.

Your employer should be aware that the introduction of part-time work, job sharing, flexible working hours and the capacity to work from home and other options is enabling many people to better negotiate and balance their work and family life. Benefits for employers who provide a carer friendly workplace include an ability to attract and retain skilled workers, a reduction in staff turnover and absenteeism and increased staff morale, performance and productivity.

What next?

If you would like to learn more about the issues raised in this Fact Sheet you may like to try:

• returning to the Employees menu on the Gateway
• checking out the Federal Government Workplace Relations website for more information on Carers
• visiting the relevant state workplace and employment website
  • NSW - http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au
    VIC - http://www.business.vic.gov.au
    QLD - http://www.deir.qld.gov.au
    SA - http://www.service.sa.gov.au
    WA - http://wa.gov.au/governmentservices/jobseconomy
    TAS - http://www.service.tas.gov.au
    NT - http://www.nt.gov.au
    ACT - http://www.act.gov.au
• subscribing to our monthly newsletter, Work 'n' Care, for regular information and support regarding the issues facing working carers.

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