Our working culture must value and support staff who are also carers - Sue McLintock

Sue McLintock is Manager of the Carer Positive Awards.

This year has been challenging for everyone, with a series of unprecedented disruptions to our usual way of life. Working from home has become the norm for many, with employers and staff having had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

For those caring for someone who may be older, frail, sick or disabled, the Covid-19 pandemic has meant already busy schedules have become even tougher and carers more isolated.

Recent polling by YouGov suggests the number of carers in Scotland increased by 390,000 during Covid-19 and lockdown, taking the potential total number of carers in Scotland to around 1.1 million. This has also meant that the number of people juggling work with caring has grown to around half a million.

We already know how challenging it can be for carers to manage their working and caring lives, and that without the right support, many feel stretched to breaking point and unable to continue in employment. The events of 2020 have added a further layer of complexity. For those new to caring, and for those whose caring role may have intensified, it is vital that we do all we can to provide a working culture which values and supports staff with caring responsibilities.Carers Scotland, through the Carer Positive initiative, works with organisations across Scotland to develop this type of support, with over 200 employers now recognised as ‘Carer Positive Employers’. In the face of ongoing challenges and competing priorities, it has been heartening to see how organisations have supported the health and wellbeing of their staff, recognising the benefits of greater working flexibility, and embracing new opportunities for online communication.