Close to one in 10 unpaid working carers said they have been treated unfavourably by their employer, according to research from Carers Scotland.
Two-fifths of unpaid carers in Scotland who also have a full time job provide care for more than 35 hours a week, meaning they are doing the equivalent of two full time jobs.
The research highlights the struggle many of the 270,000 working carers in Scotland face.
Findings show that 42 percent have had to reduce their working hours to accommodate caring responsibilities for a family member or friend. And more than a third (34 percent) of working age carers have had to give up working at some point in their career, with 7 percent retiring early.
More than a fifth (21 percent) of carers have had to accept lower paid work or a more junior role to accommodate their caring responsibilities.
Securing paid work alongside an unpaid caring role can offer financial security. However, 64 percent of carers in employment said that support services were not there when they needed them, while close to one in 10 (9 percent) said they have been treated unfavourably in employment. More than a third (34 percent) of working age carers have not been able to save as much, or indeed anything, for their retirement.
Richard Meade from Carers Scotland said: “Supporting unpaid carers to remain in employment is vital. We know that not being in employment means a significant loss of income for carers, and the biggest driver in why 28 percent of carers live in poverty in Scotland.
“Today’s research found that more than two thirds (69 percent) of carers who had reduced hours or given up work because of caring had skipped meals and 67 percent told us that they were worried about living costs and managing in future. This loss of income has significant consequences for a carer’s future, with poverty in older age, sometimes long after a caring role has ended.
“Carers need more support than is currently available to remain in and to return to employment, with more action needed by governments, employers and local authorities to build the foundations of social care, financial support, flexibility and employability advice that will help both carers and our economy to thrive.”
