Proudly supporting Rare Disease Day

At People Made we are proudly supporting Rare Disease Day and want to share our appreciation for the Caregivers out there who work tirelessly to care for those suffering.

Three hundred million people worldwide live with a rare disease, but the impact on those affected and caring for loved ones stretches much further. These are the Caregivers, a numberless army of unsung heroes. For them the diseases are not rare, they are daily reality.

Their caring responsibilities might be hidden to the outside eye and even unknown to colleagues at work. They are an essential part of the global workforce, but they are some of the most burdened employees. Some 20% give up work to care full-time for loved ones because they simply cannot balance the conflicting responsibilities. 

Forward-thinking employers understand the need to retain these valuable workers. Smart organisations are investing in improving their well-being by developing parental leave policies, offering paid time-off allowances, and maximizing health benefits and flexible working. As numerous studies show, offering fringe benefits leads to a happier and more productive workforce.

However, far too many companies are still not doing enough, and 90% of Caregivers report loneliness and isolation at work. At People Made we have been asking the question, What else can employers do to support them?
Each case is unique and often complex, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach that works in all cases, but here are three themes to help inspire ways of supporting:

• Awareness: ask questions, talk, research. Recognise that some Caregivers might not want to share in case they appear less capable and thereby jeopardise their career. So, it’s essential to create a culture of awareness and empathy by educating other employees and opening lines of communication, so that caregiving gets given the same weight and understanding as other groups (e.g. maternity or paternity support).
• Connection: build networks to bring employees together to lean on one another. Whether it’s with coaches or implementing tailor-made peer support programmes matching employees with co-workers with similar lived experiences, it’s important to connect.

• Collaboration: learn from experts. Work with platforms who can guide, such as Curo, a fantastic initiative which empowers Caregivers to proactively manage their well-being and so thrive at work. Working together makes us stronger.

There are multiple ways to support Caregivers, but they all must be done through an individualised lens. Let’s change our cultures to better support those impacted by rare disease. Give our Care to those who give theirs to others.

At People Made, we advise businesses at all stages of growth to help define their culture, values and purpose.

Get in touch: [email protected]​people-​made.​com