The latest episode of the CAREWELL Conversations podcast looks at how trade unions can represent working family carers and help raise awareness of the challenges they face in the workplace.

The CAREWELL project, a four-year research project to examine how family carers can be best supported to balance work with care, is a collaboration between UCD and Family Carers Ireland.

The project aims to promote health and self-care among working family carers through the development of an evidence-informed workplace programme for carers working in public and private work settings.

The latest podcast episode features a discussion between Dr Majella Fahy from the CAREWELL team and ICTU policy officer David Joyce.

They discuss how trade unions can represent working family carers, how they can help raise awareness of the specific challenges they face and examine the issues arising in the workplace on the basis of gender.

They also look at the issue in relation to the draft remote working legislation currently going through the legislative process, and the EU directive on work/life balance, due to be transposed into law later this year.

In the podcast episode, David reflects on the fact that one in nine Irish workers are in position of having to reconcile caring responsibilities with their jobs.

“It’s likely this affects a similar proportion of union members across the country. I’d encourage people to engage with their unions because you know the more conversations that happen, the more likely that we are going to get the change that we need,” he said.

The CAREWELL Conversations podcast series cover a range of topics relating to the balance of work and care among family carers. Podcast episodes incorporate the views of academics, researchers, human resource professionals, politicians, trade unionists, not-for-profits, carers and other stakeholders. Visit the CAREWELL Project website HERE and you can listen to the podcast episode HERE.

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