Carer Positive marks 10 years 

June 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Carer Positive initiative – a scheme which encourages employers to foster an environment where each and every member of staff feels supported and comfortable in the workplace. 

NHS Western Isles was recognised as a Carer Positive employer in July 2022. The organisation was praised on it’s Special Leave Policy, the provision of health and wellbeing support, and the practical and technical provisions to allow staff to work from home. 

It is estimated that there are 759 thousand unpaid carers in Scotland and around 270 thousand who are trying to hold down a job alongside their caring responsibilities, which can be challenging and extremely stressful. This is why it is so important to show support and understanding at work.

As a recipient of the Carer Positive employer recognition, employees of NHS Western Isles benefit from workplace cultures and practices which value and support staff with caring responsibilities. 

Employers with ‘carer friendly’ policies and working practices also share in the benefits by reducing levels of stress, reducing sickness absence, lowering recruitment and training costs, and increasing staff morale and productivity levels. 

From its launch in 2014, the Carer Positive initiative has worked and awarded over 265 organisations with ‘Carer Positive Employer’ recognition. As part of their 10th anniversary, they are celebrating the support developed by all these organisations over the past 10 years and highlighting their very best practice. 

​To find out more about the 10th Anniversary Awards, visit https://www.carerpositive.org/10th-anniversary.