November 2024: National Family Caregivers Month
This month Mellie celebrates National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM), themed #ICare this year. NFCM provides employers the opportunity to recognize and appreciate the contributions of family caregivers within their workforce. Beyond mere recognition, it is a time for awareness and action—an invitation for employers to bolster support for their employees who also shoulder caregiving responsibilities.
Family Caregivers: The Hidden Workforce
53 million Americans provide unpaid family care. Moreover, nearly three-quarters of our workforce reports caregiving duties. And, the majority are silently struggling to balance career and caregiving duties.
Supporting caregivers is more than just a compassionate choice—it’s a smart business strategy that enhances Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), strengthens the employer brand, and drives measurable business gains.
The annual impact on employers includes:
$35 billion in total care-related costs.
$13.4 billion in additional healthcare expenses for employees who are also caregivers.
Employee caregivers incur employers 8% higher healthcare costs compared to non-caregiving peers.
$5,600 per employee in productivity losses due to presenteeism (employees present but less productive).
$1,685 per employee in absenteeism costs.
However, the impact goes beyond the financial implications. Providing caregiver support directly impacts employers in several ways:
Talent Retention and Attraction - In a competitive job market, companies that recognize and support the unique challenges of caregiving stand out. Employees are more likely to stay with employers that accommodate their caregiving needs, and job seekers increasingly consider caregiver support when evaluating potential workplaces.
A well-structured caregiver support program can significantly elevate a company’s reputation:
Attracting Top Talent: Socially conscious job seekers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are drawn to companies that demonstrate strong CSR. Caregiver support programs are a unique asset for recruitment, setting your organization apart.
Boosting Retention: Nearly one-third of employees have left jobs due to caregiving responsibilities. By providing support, companies can reduce turnover and build a loyal, long-term workforce.
Productivity and Absenteeism - Employers who offer caregiver support empower their employees to minimize caregiving-related stress and absenteeism, helping employees stay focused and engaged, improving overall productivity.
Increase Productivity & Reduce Absenteeism: Solutions like Mellie’s all-in-one caregiver support app help caregivers go from feeling overwhelmed to organized and empowered, ultimately enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Supporting caregivers directly aligns with CSR principles:
Community Impact: By helping employees manage caregiving duties, companies contribute to the broader community, positively impacting families and reducing demands on public resources.
Employee Wellbeing: Prioritizing caregiver support reflects a company’s commitment to employee health and work-life balance, key pillars of socially responsible business practices.
Diversity and Inclusion: A diverse workforce that includes supported caregivers brings a variety of perspectives, fostering innovation and better decision-making.
Long-term Sustainability: Companies that prioritize caregiver support are seen as progressive and sustainable, appealing to socially responsible investors and stakeholders.
Employer Brand: A well-structured caregiver support program can significantly elevate a company’s reputation through positive public perception, talent acquisition, and boosting retention.
Positive Public Perception: Companies known for supporting caregivers often receive favorable media attention, which reinforces brand loyalty and customer trust.
As the workforce continues to evolve, companies that prioritize caregiver support are positioned to attract and retain top talent while building a strong, positive reputation in the marketplace and increasing workforce productivity.
Three Supporting Actions To Take Now
Consider these foundational components of a Caregiver Support Program:
Flexible Work Arrangements: Employees are holistic humans, not just workforce resources. To help working caregivers manage their lives better, consider implementing flexible schedules, remote work options, and/or job-sharing arrangements.
Caregiver Leave: To embody your acknowledgment of family caregiver challenges, consider offering dedicated paid caregiver leave in addition to sick and vacation days to foster loyalty and long-term productivity.
Caregiver Resources & Support: Partnering with vendors like Mellie provides employees access to valuable caregiving resources, support groups, and expert guidance, helping alleviate stress and improve work-life balance.
Key Consideration for Employers – Caring Culture
Flexible work arrangements, caregiver leave policies, and access to support are mission-critical to empowering the family caregiver. However, it is essential that employers also foster a supportive, caregiver-friendly culture.
To do this, employers should consider:
Facilitating Open Discussions: Encourage conversations about caregiving responsibilities within the organization. Leadership should lead by example to help reduce the stigma associated with caregiving duties, especially eldercare.
Establishing Employee Resource Groups: Create internal support networks and affinity groups focused on caregiving.
Providing Caregiver Sensitivity Training: Equip managers and leadership with the tools to support caregiver needs and recognize the signs of caregiver burnout.
Regularly Reviewing Support Programs: Continuously evaluate caregiver support policies, benefits, and cultural initiatives for family caregiver inclusion and innovation.
How Mellie Can Help Employers
Curious about how to create a more caregiver-friendly culture? Mellie is here to partner with you. Our comprehensive guidance, app-based tools, and expert resources empower employers to foster supportive workplaces for family caregivers, and -- empower employee caregivers to transition from overwhelmed to organized.
How Mellie Can Help Employees
We also offer an employee caregiver support solution that covers the full gamut of caregiver needs.
This National Family Caregivers Month, let’s work together to create environments where family caregivers feel valued, supported, and empowered. By investing in these efforts, we enhance the lives of our employees while strengthening our organizations and communities.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Schedule a meeting with Mellie today to explore how we can help you establish a more compassionate, productive workplace that supports employee caregivers.
Sources
AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving, "Caregiving in the United States 2020" (2020).
Caregiver Action Network, "National Family Caregivers Month" https://www.caregiveraction.org/nfc-month/ (2024).
Mental Health America, https://mhanational.org/national-family-caregivers-month (2024).
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