Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Debra Whitman, chief public policy officer at AARP, used her company’s paid time off for caregiving to care for her ailing father. As the U.S. population ages, employers are increasingly offering paid leave for caregiving, a benefit that is growing in popularity. More than 63 million Americans provide care for an adult family member, and most have regular paid jobs. The average caregiver spends about six hours a day caring for aging loved ones, and the challenge is that leave isn’t unlimited. Some companies offer flexible scheduling, help finding resources, and access to counseling and caregiver support groups.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. Debra Whitman’s experience with AARP’s paid time off for caregiving highlights the growing need for such benefits as the U.S. population ages. Employers are stepping up to support their teams, offering two to six weeks of paid leave, and some provide as much as 12 weeks. Comprehensive paid leave is just the starting point, with genuine caregiver-friendly employers providing practical resources and access to counseling and caregiver support groups. The use of technology, such as cameras and motion detectors, is also helping caregivers keep an eye on loved ones while managing their paid jobs.
As caregivers balance responsibilities, they need to figure out how to balance work and care in a new way, which can be very stressful. Employers are recognizing the importance of supporting family caregivers, as it’s a huge employment issue. The positive news is that employers are supporting their teams, and we’re seeing growth in both employer-provided and state-mandated paid leave programs.
One original observation: The caregiving crisis is a hidden front in the battle for employee retention.
Author: Evan Null
