This paper considers the implications of unpaid childcare on grandparents’ employment and careers. In light of the increased economic and public policy imperatives to delay retirement and extend working lives, we investigate the ways in which provision of non-custodial grandparent care affects employment of the over-50s in the UK. Our qualitative study of 55 participants suggested that around half of the sample made some changes to their employment in order to accommodate the grandparental role. Their decision to either reduce their paid work, or completely leave the labour market was strongly influenced by their gender, social class and marital status