On average, 1 in 5 employees double as an unpaid caregiver for loved ones. It can be a tiresome balancing act because employees can’t perform their caregiving responsibilities strictly in the evenings or weekends.
Even the most diligent employees can struggle with administrative tasks such as shuttling loved ones to and from doctors’ appointments, making phone calls, and coordinating care during work hours.
At the same time, HR leaders are facing incredible challenges. The Great Resignation and Realignment continues to deplete workforces. “Quiet Quitting” is killing productivity. Mental well-being and overall employee health is declining.
Plus, benefits and other budgets are being cut, forcing leaders to make hard decisions.
These forces are converging. We’re in the middle of a tidal wave that shows no sign of letting up. Homethrive is on a mission to get the story out about the impact of employee caregiving and the importance of supporting this growing and increasingly vocal population.
Each year in our Employee Caregiving Survey, we ask employees important questions about their caregiving experience to find out what challenges they’re facing, how their employers are responding, and what we can all do to help.
Like last year, the results are telling.
Though not surprising, caregivers reported being stretched thinner than ever as they juggle work, life, family, and caregiving responsibilities.
- Caregiving responsibilities are taking up more time than previous years – with a 79% increase in the number of employees who spend 5+ hours per week on caregiving
- More than a third of respondents have left work early, missed days of work, and rearranged work schedules due to their caregiving responsibilities
- More than half of respondents worry that caregiving will negatively impact their job performance and would change jobs if it meant having access to a family caregiving coordination benefit
- Roughly two thirds of respondents don’t have access to a caregiving support benefit, but more than 80% would take advantage if their employer offered one
- More than half of respondents said they would leave one job for another if it meant having accessing to a caregiving benefit
The results
The data speaks for itself. Employee caregivers can no longer be ignored. They’re spending more time on caregiving-related activities. Many are missing work, feel distracted, and are worried their caregiving responsibilities are negatively impacting their job performance. They want support but aren’t getting it. They’re even willing to leave their current employers to find one who will better support them and give them tools they need to succeed.
Read the full report here.
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