ISO/TC 314 started work on an international standard to help organizations address the needs of working carers in 2019. After developing a working draft and resolving comments on the committee draft in virtual meetings, Working Group 3 is pleased to announce that the document is now available for wide review and comment as a Draft International Standard (DIS) from November 19, 2020 to February 10, 2021.
For a preview of this draft standard please contact your national standards body.
The purpose of this new standard is to provide guidance for employers on how to support working carers. This document provides a framework and gives guidelines for how organizations can develop and implement workplace policies, programs and approaches to support workers to manage their paid work alongside a caring role.
The convenor of Working Group 3, Professor Allison Williams from Canada explains:
“We are so pleased that the international community has recognized the need for a voluntary standard on this subject. 35% of Canada’s workforce provides informal, unpaid caregiving while also working a full time or part time job and the majority of these carers are women. This new international standard will help organizations to implement workplace practices to ensure that working carers are both supported and productive. At this stage, we are looking forward to receiving feedback from the international community to help finalize the standard.”
Key Features of the standard
This draft International Standard is based on a Canadian Standard, CSA B701, Carer-inclusive and accommodating organizations, published in 2017. In developing the international draft standard, the Working Group developed new content on current issues such as emergency caregiving during a pandemic, while adding tools to help organizations implement the standard.
The international standard aims to provide a framework that organizations can follow to develop, implement and sustain a carer-inclusive program.
- Building the foundation
- Guiding principles to follow
- Getting top management commitment
- Assessing your workplace situation – gaps and opportunities
- Involving all workers
- Developing policies and program elements
- Putting the standard into practice
- Setting goals and targets
- Best practice suggestions
- Building awareness
- Preparing for emergencies
- Tracking actions
- Continual improvement
- Review progress and impact
- Work to continually improve program
The document also includes a sex/gender lens to help organizations understand and address the gendered aspect of caregiving and the impact of factors such as gender and age on working carers.
Why is this standard relevant?
While some countries do provide supports for carers, there is no clear, international guidance available for employers who want to support their employees who are balancing caregiving and work. Without effective workplace supports, working carers are more likely to experience reduced performance, increased absenteeism, negative health outcomes, burnout, or decide to retire early or quit their jobs. These consequences not only have a substantial impact on workers, but also on their employers and national economies. Carer- inclusive programs can be a sound investment for any organization.
Additionally, this proposed standard will help to recognize the importance of providing support to informal carers who are a key pillar of our health and social systems since much of the burden of continuing care falls on them.
How can you get involved?
The draft standard is available for review and comment until February 11, 2021. The draft can be obtained from ISO national member institutes. You can help to shape the final published standard by submitting your comments to your national member body. Your comments will be forwarded to the mirror committee responsible for developing your national position and voting on the draft standard.
For more information about this standards project, please contact the committee manager: [email protected] .