Working Group 3 is pleased to announce that their new draft international standard has now been posted for a Committee Draft vote by the members of ISO/TC 314. The deadline for feedback is the end of May 2020.
This document provides a framework and gives guidelines for how organizations can develop and implement workplace programs and approaches to support workers to manage their paid work alongside a caring role. Informal caregiving has become one of the most important social and economic issues worldwide and as our population ages, informal carers will play an increasing critical role in every society, providing substantial economic value globally. For working carers, one of the greatest challenges is trying to balance employment with caregiving responsibilities. Employers can play a key role in supporting working carers by introducing carer-friendly programs in their organizations. This not only helps the working carers, but allows organizations to retain key workers, reduce absenteeism and increase productivity.
Emergencies such as the current COVID-19 pandemic heighten the challenges and stress of providing care to loved ones while also working from home or providing essential services in our communities.
Some of the topics covered include:
- how to develop a carer-inclusive program, including policies and procedures;
- training and education on carer issues in the workplace;
- how to build a compassionate and carer-inclusive culture in the workplace;
- recommendations on supports for working carers;
- how to implement, maintain and improve the program;
- information about the gendered aspect of caring and how to apply a sex/gender lens to the workplace; and
- responding to sudden or emergency caregiving situations, such as natural disasters and pandemics.
Working group 3 looks forward to analyse the comments and suggestions from committee members to help progress the development of the standard. For more information on this project, please contact the Committee Manager or your national member body.