This blog is written by team at VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian. The charity supports unpaid carers – individuals who provide care and support to family members, friends, or neighbours. An unpaid carer supports someone with a disability, physical or mental health condition, long-term condition, or frailty. Balancing employment with caring duties can be incredibly demanding, and it’s essential that workplaces recognise and support the needs of unpaid carers.
One key legal protection for unpaid carers is the Carer’s Leave Act, introduced to give carers greater flexibility in managing their caring role alongside employment. Under this Act, carers are entitled to five days of unpaid leave each year to care for a dependent with a long-term health condition or need. This leave can be taken in full days or more flexibly in half-day blocks, providing essential time off to handle emergency situations, attend medical appointments, or offer support during challenging periods.
Carers do not need to provide evidence of their caring role to access this leave, and they have the right to return to their job following their time off. Importantly, the Carer’s Leave Act is separate from annual leave and can be taken in addition to statutory leave entitlements, such as compassionate leave or parental leave. This law helps unpaid carers balance their work and caring responsibilities.
Employers can support carers by raising awareness of their rights, offering flexible working arrangements, and fostering an inclusive workplace. Simple steps like providing information about unpaid caring and relevant policies and procedures can make a huge difference to carers. VOCAL works with employers across Edinburgh and Midlothian to help them achieve their goals in supporting their staff who have caring responsibilities.
For a review or update of HR policies, please contact support@mckinneyhr.co.uk