Recognising working carers and the challenges they face is an increasingly vital issue for Employers in Scotland. In 2020 we saw a dramatic boost in the number of Scottish carers, with an increase of almost 400,000 to an estimated 1.1 million since the beginning of the pandemic. This is particularly relevant to employers as 58% of these new carers juggle paid work with their caring responsibilities.
Caring can impact people across the working age spectrum, but it tends to hit a peak at an age when many employees have gained valuable skills and experience. When the stress and struggle of combining work with caring become too much, carers often feel forced to reduce their working hours or give up their jobs entirely – even if this means ending their career or losing their main source of income.
In addition to being good employment practice, supporting carers to remain productively in work delivers real benefits to employers and the economy as a whole. Evidence has shown that supportive policies and working practices:
- attract and retain staff
- reduce absence
- reduce recruitment and training costs
- increase resilience and productivity
- improve service delivery
- improve people management and staff morale
Having carers on your team is already more common than many employers realise and this issue will only grow as our population ages. Acting now is vital to protect your organisation both now and for the future.
There are a number of things employers can do help carers feel supported and remain in their jobs. This starts with understanding the issues that carers face and developing appropriate workplace policies and practices. Once these are established, good communication and manager training is essential in order for them to be of benefit.
Encouraging peer support can help tackle feelings of loneliness and isolation that often come with caring. Establishing staff networks can allow carers to get together for a chat or to exchange tips and share experiences. This may not be practical for all organisations, but employers can also signpost carers to local support groups or online forums.
Carers Week 2021
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness about caring, highlight the challenges that unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution that they make in our communities. This year Carers Week falls on 7th – 13th of June.
Carers Week is a valuable opportunity for employers to raise awareness and build extra support. Taking part will foster understanding among all members of staff, while helping working carers to feel recognised and valued within the organisation.
A few ways that employers can mark Carers Week include:
Carers Network Coffee Morning
Get carers together for coffee and a chat.
Feature a Case Study
Would a member of staff be happy to share experiences of their caring role? This could be shared on your internal network.
Signpost to Help
Highlight links and contact details for organisations which can provide carers with information, support and resources.
Link Up with a Carers Centre
Find out about their services and join community based activities.
Invite a Speaker to your Event
Sharing knowledge and experiences can be a great way to build awareness of caring among all members of staff.
Please remember to plan events around local Covid-19 restrictions – online alternatives to in-person events are usually possible.
Becoming a Carer Positive Employer
Another action you can take for Carers Week is considering becoming a Carer Positive employer. The Carer Positive awards are a Scottish Government funded programme which recognise employers that create a supportive working environment for carers.
The Carer Positive team work closely with employers across Scotland to help them develop support for carers while taking into consideration the circumstances specific to each organisation. Becoming recognised with a Carer Positive Award sends a strong supportive message to both existing and potential new staff, as well setting an excellent standard as an employer in Scotland. Our award scheme is recommended within the Scottish Business Pledge and linked in the Scottish Government’s recent ‘Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance for Homeworking’.
Visit our website for advice and resources on supporting carers in the workplace, as well as more information on the Carer Positive awards – carerpositive.org
