Families and caregivers are more stressed than ever as they continue to adapt to a new normal that the pandemic has brought about. Employers are challenged to create a supportive culture to best meet the ever-changing needs of their employees and continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Additionally, it is an essential priority for employers to develop equitable strategies in support of the diverse representation of all types of parents and caregivers in the workforce across their varying needs. 

 

Why is supporting caregivers a strategic priority for employee wellbeing in 2021?

• 1 in 5 Americans are caregivers. 
  • There’s been a 9.5 million increase of caregivers from 2015 to 2020.  Source: National Alliance for Caregiving: The US 2020 Report 
• Caring for adults is on the rise and not slowing down. 
  • There’s been an increase of over 8 million adults providing care to a family member or friend age 18 or older, primarily driven by a significant increase in the caring for a family member or friend who is age 50 or older. Source: National Alliance for Caregiving: The US 2020 Report
• The caregiver role has evolved. 
  • 24% of caregivers of adults care for two or more recipients (up from 18 percent in 2015). 
  • 40% of caregivers live together with their recipient. Source: National Alliance for Caregiving: The US 2020 Report
  • More American adults are taking on the role of unpaid caregiver for adult recipients who have increasingly complex medical or support needs. Source: National Alliance for Caregiving: The US 2020 Report
  • 61% of caregivers report working while caregiving and 60% have experienced at least one work-related impact. Source: National Alliance for Caregiving: The US 2020 Report
• It supports diversity, equity, and inclusion within your workplace. 
  • Underrepresented racial groups are more likely to be working parents than white employees. Source: 2020 Parents at the Best Workplaces Report
• 2020 changed us. 
  • 4x more women than men dropped out of the labor force in September 2020, including 324,000 Latinas and 58,000 Black women. Source: 2020 Parents at the Best Workplaces Report
  • 1 in 4 women are considering downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce due to COVID-19. Source: 2020 Parents at the Best Workplaces Report
• The decline in caregiver self-reported health is concerning. Employees are burned out.
  • 23% of caregivers find it difficult to take care of their own health and a similar proportion report caregiving has made their own health worse.  Source: National Alliance for Caregiving: The US 2020 Report
  • Over 2.4 million women are currently suffering from burnout. Source: 2020 Parents at the Best Workplaces Report
  • One in 5 caregivers report high financial strain as a result of caregiving. Source: National Alliance for Caregiving: The US 2020 Report
  • Mothers of color are suffering greater levels of burnout (33%). Source: 2020 Parents at the Best Workplaces Report

 

Looking for more information specifically on family and caregiver advocacy in Wisconsin workplace?  

• View the January 2021 WCWI Webinar: Advocating for Family + Caregivers in Wisconsin Workplaces.
• View the December 2020 - January 2021 statewide survey results.

 

 

Assess your employer's advocacy level and discover how to take action.

Access WCWI's Newest Well Practice!
A Strategic Priority for Employers:  Advocating for Families + Caregivers
Why is supporting caregivers a strategic priority for employee wellbeing in 2021? How are Wisconsin employers advocating for families and caregivers? This executive summary compares WCWI's statewide survey results with national data and oultines 5 areas of opportunities for Wisconsin employers. BONUS! Use the Employer Assessment and Employee Tool to help you create a culture that advocates for families and caregivers.

 

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Assistant Director, Marketing & Membership

lgrenfell@wellnesscouncilwi.org