Supporting Employees with Adult & Elder Care Responsibilities
In today’s world, many employees find themselves balancing various demands, including that of their professional careers with the responsibilities of caring for family members. Whether they’ve assumed the long-term responsibility for an elder parent/s or relative, or short-term responsibility for a partner, spouse or sibling who’s become injured or ill, (rendering them temporarily or even permanently dependant) it can have a major impact on their daily ability to perform well at work and maintain their personal wellbeing. These dual roles can be particularly challenging when it involves caring for someone with an illness such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, conditions that require significant time, attention, and emotional resilience. For HR professionals, company executives, and leadership teams, recognising and addressing the nuanced needs of caregiver employees is not just a matter of compassion—it’s a strategic business imperative.
In this article, we explore some of the very real implications that many working carers face, as well as how organisations and progressive employers can better support their people from an empathetic perspective, as well as a strategic business plan to retain and attract a talented and thriving workforce in 2024 and beyond.
The Growing Need for Caregiver Support
According to Carers UK, an estimated 62% of UK adults have had no choice but to become unpaid carers due to lack of available care options. The YouGov Omnibus poll also reported that women are more likely than men to say unpaid caring has had a ‘very’ negative impact on mental health (27% compared with 19%) and on their job and ability to work (22% compared with 16%). Furthermore, an estimated 7.7 million people across the UK juggle unpaid caring responsibilities with paid employment. A large portion of these caregivers (700,00 people) are looking after someone with dementia. Dementia, which affects around 944,000 people in the UK, presents unique challenges that can severely impact an employee’s ability to perform at their best.
Dementia is a progressive neurological condition that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. Caring for someone with dementia often requires constant supervision, emotional support, and specialised knowledge. The unpredictable nature of the condition means caregivers frequently face crises that can unexpectedly interrupt their workday, leading to increased stress, burnout and absenteeism.
The Benefits of Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
Supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities results in numerous benefits:
Employee Retention and Satisfaction: Companies that offer robust support systems for caregivers often see higher . Employees who feel supported are more likely to remain loyal to their employer. Our 2024 Modern Families Index Report showed that Working parents who are additionally caring for adult dependants have a high flight risk of 45%.
Productivity and Performance: When caregivers are given the empathy, flexibility and supportive resources they need, their wellbeing and productivity improves, and their stress levels are reduced. They are better able to focus on their work, knowing that their loved ones are taken care of.
Effective Strategies for Workplace Support
There are several strategies that HR professionals and organisations can implement to support their caregiving community of employees:
Flexible Working Arrangements: Offering flexible hours, remote work options, and personal leave can help caregivers manage their responsibilities more effectively.
Back-Up Care and Family Solutions: Providing access to emergency care services and comprehensive family support solutions can alleviate the immediate pressures on caregivers.
Caregiver Support Programmes and Internal Networks: Establishing support programmes and networks within the company can create a sense of community and provide caregivers with essential resources and emotional support.
Coaching and Wellbeing Support: Offering coaching services, wellbeing programmes, and curated resource materials tailored to caregivers can help them manage stress and maintain their mental health.
Bright Horizons Role in Supporting Caregivers
For many years, Bright Horizons has been at the forefront of supporting leading organisations to provide vital support solutions, enabling them to offer the best and most progressive support possible to their employees. Over the years, we’ve built, grown and maintained partnerships and affiliations with the UKs leading care providers, giving us a vast network to supply clients with comprehensive Back-Up Care. By partnering with us, companies can ensure they become (and remain) popular places of employment, known for their commitment to employee wellbeing and support, as well as helping keep women in the workplace and retain top talent.
Supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities is a sign of understanding and a demonstration of empathy and appreciation for those within your teams. It’s also a smart business strategy that stems from creating a workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing and results in employee satisfaction, productivity, loyalty and talent retention. By implementing flexible working arrangements, offering robust support programmes, and utilising external resources, companies can create a supportive work environment that reflects the current climate and safeguards against losing top people to competing organisations.
