M&S launches guide to help colleagues with caring responsibilities
To mark National Carers Week, Marks & Spencer has launched a new guide to help support staff who have caring responsibilities.
Aimed at colleagues working in its stores and support centre, the guide covers all the support M&S offers ranging from health, wellbeing and financial to flexible work options. It also includes the retailer’s new and updated bereavement policy, which offers more flexibility for colleagues who may wish to take all of some of their paid leave before the death of a loved one or someone they care for when they are receiving end of life care.
M&S said the guide “brings everything together in one place” to make it easier for staff to access the support as and when required.
Adele Thorpe, store manager at M&S Simply Food, Sunbury Cross and co-chair of the Family & Carers Network at M&S, helped produce the guide.
Thorpe said: “At M&S we have so many colleagues who are carers – and this will look and feel different for everyone. Balancing things can be hard, you often feel guilty that you can’t give 100% you’re your time to those you care for whilst also doing a great job for the company you love.
“We want to ensure M&S is a great place to work and reassure our colleagues that it’s ok to take five minutes for yourself to sort out things – to ensure you can be your best at work.”
Earlier this year, M&S became a member of the Employers for Carers forum, supported by Carers UK. From this month, every M&S staff member will have 24-hour access to support via the Carers UK Jointly App which provides help, advice, and an opportunity to create a ‘circle of care’ for the person they are caring for.
