The convenor for developing ISO Standard 25551 presented at the 'transforming care conference' in Sheffield
The abstract of here presentation:
The vast majority of the growing number of unpaid carers are simultaneously employed in the labour market. Research evidence illustrates that unpaid care work negatively impacts both working carers and their paid work, all of which has worsened throughout the pandemic. Few employers have adopted carer-friendly workplace policies (CFWP) to support working carers. A set of international standardized guidelines for organizations has been created by a group of 17countries. ISO 25551:2021, Ageing societies–general requirements and guidelines for carer-inclusive organizations, was published in 2021. In partnership with the International Alliance of Carer Organizations (IACO), the Standard continues to be promoted to support working carers in pandemic and post-pandemic times. Using data collected by Embracing Carers, this paper reviews the significance of the Standard given pandemic impacts globally. Further, it discusses the alignment of the Standard with the United Nations (UN) Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Finally, challenges of implementation are highlighted, while reflecting on the significance and relevance of the standard globally for countries in both the Global North and South. When compared to employers in the Global South, those in the Global North are more receptive to the Standard given their ability to:
- resource CFWP initiatives;
- be aware of the growing evidence that supports CFWPs;
- realize inclusive workplaces given growing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) expectations; and
- work towards realizing the UN SDGs Engaging the Global South will require collaboration with the UN, the WHO and the ILO.