Caring about equality: celebrating Carers Week

Caring about equality. That’s the theme of Carers Week 2025. And it’s one that resonates deeply with us. As one of the UK’s top inclusive employers, we’re committed to creating a fair and equal workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and can thrive. With an estimated 9% of employees in England and Wales juggling work while caring for a loved one¹, it’s crucial we support our colleagues that are carers to thrive.

To celebrate Carers Week, we’re highlighting how we support our colleagues who are carers to be their best at work and balance their caring responsibilities.

Committed to caring for carers

Juggling the pressures of everyday life, work and caring for loved ones can be stressful and tiring. We want to help our colleagues find a balance for the care they give through the tools and resources we provide.

Our carers’ passport  documents our colleagues’ caring responsibilities, and the support required to help them thrive at work. Carers’ passports help carers to easily share with their manager what their needs are, put in place arrangements to help support them (for example, the option to bank hours that can then be used at short notice) and what to do when urgent caring needs arise.

Susie, Internal Communications Consultant at E.ON UK, and is also a carer for her mother, said: “I've recently signed up for the Carer's Passport. My line manager encouraged me to do this and provided me with the support I needed. I think this helped to give myself permission to acknowledge my role as a caregiver. I’ve also worked part-time for the last 13 years, which gives me a day each week that I can prioritise mum and, where possible, this is the day we choose for any of her healthcare appointments.”

Our carers’ passport template has been created with the help of the people who use it, and we’ve created supportive guidance to sit alongside it. It details everything from flexible working arrangements to reasonable adjustments. Plus, a carer’s passport can be easily reviewed and updated when circumstances change, whether those changes involve the requirements of the job or the nature of caring responsibilities. It can also be carried into any future roles, without our colleagues having to repeat the same conversations, instilling confidence they can continue to build their career with arrangements in place to support their caring responsibilities. 

And to further support our colleagues who are caring for elderly relatives, we recently introduced a new colleague benefit called ‘My Care Concierge’ – a specialist advice service in elder care and provides practical advice on topics such as how to navigate financial support, caring options and choosing a nursing home.

The role of flexibility in caring

Flexibility is key in successfully combining work and care. Working flexibly can help carers return to and stay in work, through balancing caring responsibilities and maintaining career progression.

Our flexible working principles allow our colleagues to work in the way that best supports both them and our organisation to thrive. We trust colleagues to work flexibly and choose the most appropriate arrangement, with the support of their manager, to maximise their performance.

Charlotte Lack from E.ON UK’s People Function, said: “At E.ON we understand the vital role that carers play both at home and in our community. We are committed to creating a supportive work environment that recognises the unique challenges carers face. From flexible working arrangements to dedicated resources such as our carers’ passport and the care concierge service, we ensure our carers feel valued and empowered to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. Our approach reflects our belief that when we support our people in every aspect of their lives, everyone benefits.”

Working together to achieve equality

Our colleague-led adaptABILITY and Working Families networks are joining forces to provide carers with additional support and advice.

Our adaptABILITY network aims to support our colleagues who are also carers for their loved ones with disabilities or chronic conditions through initiatives such as a Listening Café for Carers which provides a space for carers to come together and share. The network spotted an opportunity to create more meaningful and valuable sessions for these colleagues by teaming up with our Working Families network.

While adaptABILITY helps with understanding conditions, symptoms, medication, coping strategies, and holistic therapies, Working Families can support with the emotional side of things and balancing care with work. By running these events together, our colleagues will get relevant support across all areas as well as establishing greater empathy and deeper understanding across the two networks.

Together, the two networks are helping carers to connect, share advice and support and to recognise they’re not alone.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion runs deep. We’re proud to support all our colleagues in feeling respected, supported and able to bring their authentic selves to work.

Read more in our annual inclusion report.