How to juggle your career and your caring duties

Published Oct 06 2023

When you're a carer for a family member or friend, it can be challenging to balance your responsibilities with your career.

However, it's important to remember that you're not alone. Many people face this same challenge and there are resources available through Carer Gateway to help you manage your caring duties and your career.

One of the most important things you can do is be transparent with your employer about your caring responsibilities. This can help you work together to find solutions that work for both you and your employer. For example, you might be able to negotiate flexible working hours or work from home options. This can help you manage your caring duties while still being able to work and earn an income.

Carer Gateway provide a range of services to support you in reaching your career goals while managing your caring duties. These include respite, carer coaching, online skills courses and more resources that can help you to manage your responsibilities more effectively and reduce your stress levels.

It's also important to take advantage of any leave that your employer offers, such as sick leave or vacation time. This can give you the time you need to manage your caring duties without having to worry about your job.

If you don't have any leave available, you might want to consider talking to your employer about taking unpaid leave. This can give you the time you need to manage your responsibilities without having to worry about losing your job.

Finally, it's important to take care of your own wellbeing. Caring for a family member or friend can be emotionally and physically draining, so it's important to take time for yourself. This might mean taking a break from your caring duties to do something you enjoy, such as going for a walk or reading a book.

It's also important to make time for exercise, healthy eating and getting enough sleep.  

By being transparent with your employer, utilizing Carer Gateway resources, taking advantage of leave and taking care of your own well-being, you can manage your responsibilities more effectively and reduce your stress levels.

Remember, you're not alone in this challenge.

This article can be found in the fourth edition of The Caring Way: www.bit.ly/TCW4