How employers can take their caregiving benefits to the next level

Published 2 Min Read

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As an employer, are you equipped to support — and therefore retain — your caregiver talent?

Nearly three-quarters of working Americans are already caregivers, a number that will increase as the population of people aged 65 and older goes up over the next several years. The National Cancer Institute defines the term caregiver as anyone who helps take care of someone else: children, the elderly, and those with a disability or chronic illness. Responsibilities range from researching facilities to helping with daily needs such as meal prep and errands to navigating the healthcare system. The hours add up, some of which caregivers have no choice but to pull from their workday

Between work and family, caregivers get little breathing room for themselves — and it takes a toll. As employers try to make their benefits and policies more inclusive, they may need to question whether they have a pulse on what their caregivers need.

“ERGs serve the purpose of creating solidarity and a shared space around common themes and challenges,” says Priya Krishnan, chief digital and transformation officer at Bright Horizons. “If you’re looking for equity in the workforce, getting perspectives from these groups is critical.”

Lee Hafner
Editor

Lee joined the EBN team in 2022, and covers areas including caregiving, employee health and wellness, healthcare innovation, and company culture. She created EBN's popular Benefits in Action and … Read full bio


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