These employees work for you

Family caregivers are struggling at work, need support from employers to stay, AARP finds

According to USA Today and an AARP study on caregiving:

◾ 67% of family caregivers have difficulty balancing their jobs with caregiving duties.

◾ 27% of working caregivers have shifted from full-time to part-time work or have reduced hours, while 16% have turned down a promotion.

◾ 16% have stopped working entirely for a period of time – and 13% have changed employers – to meet caregiving responsibilities.

◾ 80% of respondents agree that companies were more understanding of child care issues than adult caregiving responsibilities. Study authors said that was particularly the case among caregivers who have an under-18 child in the home and therefore have recent experience in both situations.

Working While Caregiving: It's Complicated

According to an S&P Global survey, 34% of caregivers intend to leave their jobs due to caregiving responsibilities. The unpredictable nature of caregiving for an adult is among the biggest stressors that caregivers face.

Half of working caregivers reported making work scheduling changes, including going in early, leaving late or taking time off from a job because of caregiving responsibilities. Many have made even more drastic work scheduling changes, including taking a leave of absence (32%), shifting from full-time to part-time work or reducing hours (27%), turning down a promotion (16%), moving to a new team (16%), not working for a period (16%) and changing employer (13%).

One employee who also works at a company highlights the importance of employer support, saying, "When you show compassion and are supportive of my situation, I'll give you that extra mile." Employers, it's time to step up and provide the flexibility and understanding caregivers need.

Ways & Wane solves family care challenges for busy professionals

73% of your employees are caring for kids or older adults.

Offered as an employer-paid benefit, we solve eldercare and childcare challenges, no matter where employees live. Reach out for information at [email protected]