Caring and Career: Why Flexibility Matters
Let’s be real, caring and having a career isn’t about balance. That word suggests things sit neatly on the scales. In real life, it’s more like spinning plates while someone keeps handing you more. You’re working on a report, checking in on your dad, replying to a school email and trying to remember if anyone fed the dog.
For many of us, caring doesn’t stop when we walk into the office. It stays with us, in the text messages, the quiet worry in the back of our mind, the mental list of what needs to be picked up on the way home. It’s a constant thread woven into our working day.
That’s why flexibility isn’t just a perk. It’s a lifeline.
Flexibility means we can take a parent to a hospital appointment without pretending we’ve got the dentist. It means we can do the school drop-off without starting the day stressed. It means we can adjust our working pattern slightly and still hit deadlines without burning out.
And here’s the thing. People who juggle caring and careers? They’re some of the most efficient, empathetic, and organised people around. We’re used to managing crises, thinking three steps ahead and getting the job done in the cracks between everything else. But we can’t do that sustainably without a bit of give from the system we’re working in.
It’s not about working less. It’s about working differently.
Maybe it’s shifting start times, working from home once or twice a week or taking a longer lunch to check in with someone who needs us. These small adjustments can make a world of difference, not just to us as carers, but to the people we’re supporting.
And it’s not all take. When carers feel supported, they give back in spades. They’re loyal. They bring their whole selves to work. They show up because they know they’re seen.
Flexibility also allows us to be proactive, not just reactive. We’re not constantly playing catch-up or apologising. We can plan, breathe and take care of the people we love without dropping the ball at work.
There’s a lot of talk about wellbeing in the workplace, and rightly so. But for carers, wellbeing is often tied to logistics. It’s hard to look after your mental health if you’re constantly rushing or hiding the fact that you’ve got other responsibilities. True flexibility means we can work with life, not against it.
And let’s not forget how invisible caring can be. You don’t always wear a badge that says you’re supporting someone. It might not even be something you talk about much. But it affects your energy, your availability, your focus. That’s why a culture of trust and openness really matters. So people don’t feel they have to choose between being a carer and being a professional.
Caring and having a career shouldn’t be in competition. When workplaces value flexibility, they send a powerful message, we see you, we value your contribution, and we want you to thrive in all parts of your life.
So here’s to employers who listen, who offer genuine options, and who understand that flexibility isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s how we keep talented, committed people in the workplace for the long haul.
This was originally written for Aviva
