14% of Bank of Ireland’s workforce identify as carers.
Bank of Ireland has forged a new partnership with the Family Carers Ireland charity to provide supports and resources for colleagues in Ireland in the UK who are balancing their jobs with caring responsibilities at home.
Supporting more than 500,000 family carers across the country who care, Family Carers Ireland key objective is to support and promote the health, wellbeing and quality of life of family carers and those cared for.
“There is a significant proportion of colleagues who are also carers. We are very aware of the additional considerable challenges that they can face”
The partnership will help support those families and parents among Bank of Ireland’s 9,000+ colleagues who are in a caring role, currently representing 14% of the workforce.
The partnership will provide information, tools and supports to colleagues, with guidance and training also provided to managers on how to support their teams with parenting and caring responsibilities.
It is estimated that one in nine people in the Irish workforce are in paid employment while also caring for a loved one including children or adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health, or addiction.
Impact on financial wellbeing
Research conducted by Family Carers Ireland identified the challenges faced by those in the general population carrying out caring roles in Ireland, including the risk of impact to their financial wellbeing.
According to the research 68% of those in a caring role experience financial distress and 23% of those struggling financially are cutting back on essentials such as food and heat and 16% are in arrears with utility bills.
The partnership will help support those families and parents among Bank of Ireland’s 9,000+ colleagues who are in a caring role, currently representing 14% of the workforce.
“As a leading employer with a large workforce of over 9,000 colleagues, we recognise our responsibility to ensure that all sections of society are represented and supported in their careers at Bank of Ireland,” said Kate Butler, Group Inclusion & Diversity Lead, Bank of Ireland.
“While we estimate over 50% are working parents, among that there is a significant proportion of colleagues who are also carers. We are very aware of the additional considerable challenges that they can face.
“We are therefore delighted to collaborate with Family Carers Ireland to deliver ongoing supports and activities to ensure that members of our team, who are also in caring roles at home, are visible and receive the supports they need to thrive and advance their careers at Bank of Ireland.
“We are also proud to have had a dedicated Family Network since 2017, made up of colleagues passionate about making Bank of Ireland an inclusive place to work for those who balance caring with a career,” Butler said.
The partnership will provide information, tools and supports to colleagues, with guidance and training also provided to managers on how to support their teams with parenting and caring responsibilities.
It is estimated that one in nine people in the Irish workforce are in paid employment while also caring for a loved one including children or adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health, or addiction.
Main image at top: Pictured at the launch of the partnership is Sue O’Grady, Family Carers Ireland along with Matt Elliot, Chief People Officer, Bank of Ireland, and Karena O’Sullivan, Executive Sponsor of the Family Network in Bank of Ireland
