What are my rights as a working carer?
Your rights in work come from two sources:
- The law gives you ‘statutory rights’ which everyone has.
- Your contract of employment gives you ‘contractual rights’ which can be more generous than statutory rights.
In this section, we're providing guidance about your statutory rights as a working carer. However, it's always worth checking your contract of employment, staff handbook, HR policies or letter of appointment to see if you have any contractual rights on top of your statutory rights.
Note: For further information about your general rights, see the gov.uk website.
For a summary of your statutory rights, you can also take a look at our factsheet, Your rights in work.
Find out more about your rights at work
Latest updates
Carers UK responds to Guardian article reporting that the Government is considering compensation for carers hit by the Carer’s Allowance scandal
Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said:
“This is very good news to hear that the Government is discussing…
Carers UK's response to the 2024 NHS Adult Inpatient survey
Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs responds to this recent survey.
Carers Rights Day theme announced
Carers UK has launched the theme for this year’s Carers Rights Day on Thursday 20 November 2025 which is ‘Know…
Rising numbers of unpaid carers say they need more support from the NHS
An increasing number of unpaid carers looking after family members or friends who are older, disabled or living with a…
Got a question about caring?
Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member
Become a member for free
Joining Carers UK is free and takes just a few minutes.