All you need to know about the new Carer’s Leave Act
Wednesday 1 May 2024
1 pm – 1.45 pm, online
This free webinar from IP Ability was organised to mark the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 which came into force on 6 April 2024. According to Carers UK, the Act will:
- Give rights to at least 2 million employees who are carers.
- Prompt employers to think about their employees with caring responsibilities, and for many, create carer-related policies for the first time.
- Recognise and value carers by supporting their health and wellbeing.
Lizzie Hardie, an Associate in the Employment, Labour and Pensions group at Eversheds Sutherland, discussed the legal provisions in the new act, and how these intersect with other rights, such as emergency dependants leave.
Karen Genuardi, Head of People at AA Thornton, gave an employer’s view on best practice for accommodating and supporting carers.
Chris Clarke (Patent Attorney at Vectura) gave a personal perspective on the new legislation.
At the end of the session there was an opportunity to ask questions and share experiences.
Meet the Speakers
Karen Genuardi
Karen Genuardi
Karen is Head of People at AA Thornton, where she plays an active role in creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment. As a mum of two, the eldest being neurodivergent, Karen’s experience as a carer and her role in supporting the employees in her working life to thrive and reach their full potential, fuels her passion for improving diversity across the IP profession. Karen has been an active member of IP Inclusive since 2016 and an IP Ability committee member since it was founded.
Lizzie Hardy
Lizzie Hardy
Lizzie is an Associate in the Employment, Labor and Pensions group. She advises on both contentious and noncontentious employment and labor matters, and specializes in diversity and inclusion issues (particularly regarding policy and best practice). She sits on one of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committees at The Law Society, advising on Diversity and Inclusion issues. Lizzie is regularly invited to speak about the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace at panel events.
Chris Clarke
Chris Clarke
Chris is a patent attorney at Vectura, where he is also a member of Vectura’s Diversity and Inclusion committee. He is a carer for his younger son, who has a learning disability. Chris is one of the co-leads of IP Ability.
Who was it for?
This event was open to all UK-based IP professionals. It doesn’t matter what type of organisation you work in, what role you play in it or what your career level; everyone is welcome at IP Ability events – including of course disabled people, carers and their allies.
COST
This event was free. So are all our resources. That said, we do need money to keep the show on the road, so if you enjoyed the event please consider contributing. For more information, visit the IP Inclusive fundraising page.
Resources
You can find a recording of the webinar here.
The presentation can be found here, also a link to the ACAS guidance.
If you would like to get in touch with IP Ability, you can email them at [email protected].