Employees don’t leave their caregiving responsibilities at the door when they arrive at work. For the 1 in 6 workers juggling job duties and eldercare, burnout is just one missed doctor's appointment or midnight emergency away. Employers who ignore this growing challenge are silently losing talent, productivity, and culture. But those who act? They build loyal, resilient teams.

Let’s explore why supporting employee caregivers is more than a nice-to-have — it's a business imperative.

The Hidden Workforce: Who Are Employee Caregivers?

73% of caregivers are working full or part time.

• Most don’t self-identify or ask for help
• Caregiving spans parents, spouses, and even neighbors

Quick Stat: The average caregiver spends 20+ hours/week providing care on top of full-time employment.

How Caregiving Impacts the Workplace

• Burnout and Mental Health
• Employees report higher levels of stress, anxiety, and sleep disruption
• Reduced engagement, presenteeism, and absenteeism increase
• Emotional exhaustion affects collaboration and morale

Retention and Turnover

• 61% of caregivers report needing workplace flexibility
• Many quietly leave or downshift roles when support is lacking
• Replacing employees costs 1.5–2x their salary

What Forward-Thinking Employers Are Doing

• Caregiver-Friendly Policies
• Flexible scheduling and PTO options
• Leave policies that include eldercare
• Backup care support or resource guides

Real-Time Support Solutions

• Monthly office hours with caregiving experts
• On-demand educational resources (like The Help Path Course)
• Workplace assessments to identify hidden needs

ROI of Caregiver Support: The Data Speaks

• 25% drop in unplanned absences
• 2x likelihood of employee retention
• 40% increase in reported job satisfaction

Investing in caregiver support drives measurable results — from productivity to loyalty.

How to Get Started

Here’s what your HR team can do this quarter:

• Survey your workforce to uncover hidden caregiving responsibilities
• Review current wellness and EAP offerings — do they include eldercare?
• Partner with a solution like The Help Project to create a custom plan

Ready to take action? Let’s build a care-forward workplace together. Book a complimentary strategy call to learn how The Help Project can support your workforce.