Parents and carers

Our Parents & Carers network is delighted to announce it has a new executive sponsor in Jane Simpson, north service delivery director.

Many of our people balance parental and caring responsibilities with their careers. Our Parents & Carers steering group advocates for carers and offers support to those who need it.

The aim of the network is to enable colleagues with caring responsibilities to work effectively on a day-to-day basis whilst fulfilling their caring responsibilities. The group can help direct colleagues to the right support with formal flexible working requests and approvals as well as advice on the types of flexible working available.

Jane joined the business at the beginning of August as the north service delivery director.

‘I’m really excited to be the new executive sponsor of the network,’ she said. ‘I’m looking forward to working with the network to drive and expand its membership, and make it more accessible as a recognisable resource for all our parents, carers and allies.

‘My vision as executive sponsor is to create a supportive network for colleagues at all levels of the business. We want to upskill our leaders and managers to create an organisation that understands everyone's needs and that everyone's needs are different.

‘And finally, we aim to work with external charities and organisations to be able to provide relevant resources and support to everyone who needs it.’

Other objectives for the network include:

• To identify and recommend practical and effective solutions to support colleagues with caring responsibilities.
• To review the application and deployment of business policies, practices and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose in support of colleagues with caring responsibilities.
• To increase the confidence of our colleagues and managers to effectively deal with caring responsibilities.
• To explore and pilot new innovative opportunities in relation to policy, practices and procedures to support colleagues with caring responsibilities.
• To act as a coordinating body for local Parents & Carers groups/networks.

Supporting our people

As one of the UK’s biggest employers, we are committed to putting equality and diversity at the heart of our business.

To contact the Parents & Carers steering group, please email: Parents.and.Carers@Royalmail.com.  Similarly, if you would like to join the group or you have any positive stories about how you as a parent or carer have been supported by the business, please get in touch!