Carers are leaving our industry in droves. We must take action now: let’s start with understanding the contribution that carers bring to the workplace, while increasing representation and giving proper support to employees. Recent comments by Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, suggesting that maternity pay has “gone too far”, have highlighted a broader societal trend that devalues both childcare and carers themselves. Not only does this have a profound impact on our workforce, it is bad for business.
This impact has been starkly revealed by recent research UM conducted in partnership with UN Women UK showing that 25% of working mothers have been forced to leave their jobs, while a further quarter have had to reduce their hours. This adds up to a “childcare brain drain” that is sucking much-needed talent away from industries across the board, including our own.
Read Kara’s full piece on The Media Leader.