Making it work: a qualitative study of the work-care reconciliation strategies adopted by family carers in Ireland to sustain their caring role

While work-care reconciliation strategies can benefit family carers, employers, wider society and the economy, juggling caregiving responsibilities with paid employment lead to role strain. Family carers frequently find themselves engaged in decisions negotiations being faced alter their work commitments order fulfil responsibilities. The purpose of this study was explore carers’ experiences modifying arrangements accommodate for an ill or dependant member. Ten face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted Ireland, which audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim analysed using thematic content analysis. findings highlighted value placed on by but despite this, caring always took precedence over employee role. adopted a combination strategies, where possible, carved out carer-friendly career themselves. also revealed key triggers alterations sacrifices made carers. It is important that are supported employers successfully balance array options available them, so they make better-informed choices regarding reconciliation.