Voices For Change: Balancing Leadership And Caring Responsibilities With Caroline Withers (Podcast)

In this episode of Voices for Change, Caroline Withers, legal director at Virgin Media O2 and trustee at Carers First, talks to A&O Shearman senior manager, Justin Farrance, about the often-invisible reality of being a carer in the workplace—and how the right organizational culture can enable loyalty, engagement, and drive business success.

Caroline speaks candidly about her son’s autism and her daughter’s epilepsy, including how she worked through her own unconscious bias around ableism. Caroline shares her own journey with being a neurodivergent person and discusses how crucial it is for colleagues to normalize conversations so people can access the right support. 

Justin and Caroline explore the business case for inclusion and talk through some surprising statistics, including how 44% of people with caring responsibilities will eventually leave their role. Caroline tells us how organizations can avoid these talent drains and benefit the wider economy. She encourages listeners to make use of the resources they have available: including employee networks, charities and local peer support. 

This conversation is invaluable for anyone interested in inclusive leadership, organizational culture and those who might be carrying an invisible load in the workplace. 

Voices for Change is a podcast series spotlighting personal stories, leadership journeys, and the power of inclusive thinking in business. Through candid conversations with colleagues, clients, and thought leaders, the series explores how diverse perspectives drive responsible decision-making and long-term success. Designed for leaders committed to building responsible businesses, each episode offers inspiration and practical insights for shaping a future with equal opportunity for all.

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