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Employers are being urged to do more to help carers by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas).
It says many carers are often too pre-occupied or worried about the person they care for to look after their own wellbeing, meaning if they become ill they cannot look after their dependent or go to work.
This can have a negative impact on businesses, Acas says, but a flexible working policy can help.
Acas predicts the trend of combining work and caring responsibilities will continue and says flexible working policies can increase productivity, reduce overheads and improve staff retention rates.
Gill Trevelyan, head of training and equality services at Acas, says employers should be aware of any employee who has caring responsibilities and ensure they are familiar with the regulations and company policies.
"We would advise employers to speak to carers within their organisation to see if there are ways they can help them resolve any challenges they may be having balancing work and caring responsibilities," she said.
Parents with children under six or disabled children under 18 and carers of adults have the right to request flexible working.
Acas aims to improve working life through better employment relations.
It promotes best practice through advice and services.
