There are a growing number of organisations in Scotland proud to call themselves Carer Positive Employers.
As our population lives and works for longer, employers are increasingly recognising the need to support and retain employees who have caring responsibilities.
Carer Positive aim to raise awareness of the growing number of carers in the workforce, and recognise employers with good practice in supporting these members of staff.
Launched by the Scottish Government in June 2014 and delivered by Carers Scotland, Carer Positive is a nationally recognised employer award scheme. Employers of all sizes and sectors are taking part and those already awarded include local authorities; health boards; public bodies; utility companies; further and higher education institutions; voluntary sector organisations and a variety of private companies.
Supporting employees who are carers makes good business sense.
A workplace with ‘carer friendly’ policies and working practices benefits both carers and the organisation as a whole, with reduced unplanned absences and increased staff retention. Carers who feel supported at work have lower levels of stress and increased wellness, morale and productivity.
Participating in the Carer Positive award scheme is free, with a self-assessment process which is designed to be clear, straightforward, and not too time consuming to complete.
The team at Carer Positive are here to help; providing support and advice to assist employers develop appropriate support within their organisation. We also have a range of information and resources available, including a Best Practice booklet, Sample Policies, employer testimonial videos and other useful information.
Visit our website for an up to date list of Carer Positive Employers, access to our resources and to find out more about the Carer Positive Award. www.carerpositive.org
