The Government Equalities Office (GEO) have published a March 2018 report (pdf) summarising the responses from the ‘Returning to work after time out for caring’ consultation.
The report finds:
- The main structural issues identified were lack of flexible work opportunities, lack of suitable and affordable care, and attitudes/discrimination from employers and recruitment agencies and recruitment processes
- Most returners and potential returners had not received any support to return to work
- The main barriers identified by employers in employing returners were their lack of relevant or up-to-date skills, knowledge and experience and their inability to offer returners flexible working opportunities.