Carers UK has published a new report which calls on the Government to review the Equality Act 2010 and introduce caring as a protected characteristic.

Our research found that many unpaid carers have experienced discrimination or harassment. In the workplace, 22% of carers said they had experienced unfair or unfavourable treatment, with nearly a quarter of carers in employment (24%) saying that they had difficulties meeting their employer’s requirements because of their caring role.

Although the Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to directly discriminate against or harass someone who is associated with someone with a protected characteristic, the law is poorly understood and implemented.

Many unpaid carers often feel invisible, overlooked and undervalued. 55% of people responding to Carer’s UK’s survey said they need better understanding and recognition of carers from the general public.

Carers UK is now calling for caring to be made a protected characteristic by updating the Equality Act 2010. Introducing caring as a protected characteristic would strengthen carers’ rights to protection from discrimination and harassment, and because the protected characteristics are well-known it would further raise the profile of carers