The role of line managers and co-workers in mediating informal flexibility for working family carers

Purpose: Our paper identifies the enabling mechanisms through which carer-friendly informal flexibility is enacted in the workplace and explores whether these enabling mechanisms help working carers remain in the workforce and avoid taking leave from employment. Methodology: Twenty-six working carers in Ireland were interviewed. Interviews were semi-structured, and questions were formulated around three broad themes: participants’ caregiving role; their employment situation; and the services and supports available to them. Findings: The findings highlight three mechanisms through which carer-friendly informal flexibility is enacted: reassurance and pre-emptive support; carer advocacy; and idiosyncratic deal making (i-deals). In the absence of informal flexibility, disruption to working arrangements is likely in the form of intermittent periods of leave from the workplace. Research limitations/implications: Greater diversity in the profile of our study participants could be helpful, particularly the inclusion of more male carers and those working in the private sector. Practical implications: A greater emphasis on informal, locally negotiated, flexible working arrangements would facilitate carers to remain in employment. Originality/value: Our research explores the enabling mechanisms through which carer-friendly informal flexibility is enacted. Our study uncovered the pivotal mediating role played by line managers and co-workers in supporting carers to secure access to these informal flexible working arrangements.