Parents and Carers at Thales

Together we care at Thales

At Thales, we recognise that caring looks different for everyone. It might be helping an elderly parent, supporting a partner with a health condition, or caring for a child with additional needs. These responsibilities can be demanding, often invisible, and carried out with quiet dedication. They also mean that carers can be faced with a number of personal challenges unless they are given the right support, from missed opportunities in education or careers, to mental and physical health stressors, or social isolation.

We care about equality, and that means creating a culture, underpinned by policy, that recognises and accommodates carers - it isn’t just the right thing to do, it helps us all thrive. We know that many of our colleagues are carers, and we believe it’s essential that carers feel understood, valued, and supported. Our Carer’s Passport encourages open conversations and supportive management, which can make a real difference.

As part of Carers Week, we’ll be sharing a series of powerful videos from colleagues across the organisation who have generously shared their personal experiences of what caring looks like for them - the challenges they’ve faced, and the advice they’d give to others in similar roles.

We’ll also hear from people managers, reflecting on how they support carers in their teams, what they’ve learned, and their top tips for other managers.

These stories are honest, moving, and full of practical insight. They remind us that no one should feel they have to manage their caring responsibilities alone — and that together, we can create a workplace where carers are seen, respected and supported.

You can view the first video, with Daz Rawlins, Managing Director of AMS, below. 

Watch our second video with Laura Neilson, Strategic HR Business Partner and Neuro-inclusion Lead. New videos will be uploaded during Carers Week, so make sure to check back to hear from more of our colleagues.

Leon shares his experience 

My name is Leon Humphrey, I work in ISR, and I am a Systems Engineer and I’ve been at Thales for three years. I care for my spouse, who has a long-term illness that affects mobility and I provide physical and emotional support daily, along with looking after things around the house, taking her to various appointments.

The biggest challenge for me was realising that I was a carer. I thought that I was just going through a short-term blip, so I didn’t seek any support. I looked into it more during Carers Week and gained a clearer understanding of what a carer was and was quickly able to get support.  

Caring has been very difficult, and often I’ve felt like I wasn’t able to cover both work and caring commitments whilst also making time for myself. It can be very draining physically and mentally, which does affect how you are at work and at home.

Previously I had ad-hoc arrangements with my managers and immediate colleagues as I wasn’t aware of any formal processes for the situation I’m in, but once I was made aware of the carer’s passports during carer’s week I formalised the agreements I already had with my team, which makes it far less stressful for me if I moved projects or my team changed.

I now have carer’s leave that I can use to attend appointments without taking annual leave and I have an agreement around a specific amount of time that I work from home each week  These arrangements have helped me be around at home for more support and help me attend appointments.

Do you have any advice for other carers? 

Recognise that you are a carer, it is easy to overlook that if your circumstances change and you find yourself looking after someone, it may feel like it may only be short term, and you may think there is no support for someone in your situation, but there is support available and you should seek it out as early as you can to ease the mental load on yourself in the long term. Speak with your manager about your situation and they will direct you to what support you can receive from Thales. 

What support does Thales offer carers?

Did you know that we have a Carers’ Policy & Passport?

We care about equality, and we recognise and value the enormous contribution that unpaid carers make to our society. We want you to feel supported whilst caring, and there are various resources available to help you explore the right support for you.

• Our Carers’ Policy includes information about eligibility, leave options and entitlements, links to available internal and external support, as well as information on how to support a colleague or team member with caring responsibilities.

• Our Carers’ Passport can be completed by anyone who identifies as a Carer, to help you balance your work and caring responsibilities. It’s designed to help agree and document any local arrangements made between you and your manager, and you don’t have to be a ‘registered carer’ to access support at Thales.

• Our partnership with Employers for Carers grants you access to an exclusive online platform, EfC Digital, which includes carefully curated resources, tools, factsheets, as well as learning for carers, line managers and colleagues. As a Thales employee, you and those within your Caring circle also have free access to a care co-ordination app, Jointly.