Emily Tschimperle
Vice President HR Operations Upper Midwest Region
Employees with caregiving responsibilities often find themselves “sandwiched” between the demands of their job, family, and caregiving duties. These sandwiched employees frequently provide 20 or more hours of care each week—equivalent to an unpaid part-time job, according to AARP.
Understanding the impact of caregiving responsibilities on employees
Caregivers make up a significant portion of the workforce. The American Hospital Association reports that nearly 63 million family caregivers in the US, with 61% working while managing caregiving responsibilities such as daily living assistance, medical tasks, coordinating services, transportation, and advocacy. Research from AARP shows that about 67% of these working caregivers report challenges balancing their job, care, and home life.
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these challenges. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 59% of caregivers experienced a reduction in external support during this period, increasing the strain on sandwiched employees.
How caregiving affects employee productivity
Caregiving responsibilities can lead to decreased productivity in several ways:
Absenteeism: Caregivers may miss work to attend to doctor’s appointments, treatments, or other essential caregiving tasks, often without alternative support or financial means to hire help.
Presenteeism: Even when physically at work, caregivers’ focus may be divided due to stress and anxiety over caregiving duties, impacting their effectiveness.
Isolation: Many sandwiched employees feel isolated, especially single parents managing multiple caregiving roles alongside their job. Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers report feeling socially isolated, according to AARP.
Work disruptions: Lack of affordable childcare or eldercare can cause lateness, early departures, missed meetings, or absences, further affecting workplace performance.
Increased healthcare use among caregivers
Caregivers often face higher healthcare costs and health challenges. Employers may see about 8% higher healthcare expenses for employees with caregiving responsibilities, totaling an estimated $13.4 billion annually (Caregiver Action Network). The stress of balancing job, care, and home can contribute to chronic health conditions and mental health issues, leading to increased absenteeism and reduced focus (CDC).
The broader impact on caregiver well-being
Caregiving responsibilities affect physical, mental, and financial health. Caregivers spend an average of 26% of their income on caregiving-related expenses (AARP). Many report lower overall well-being and increased stress, with 71% facing financial struggles and 63% living paycheck to paycheck (Caregiver Action Network). Women and minorities, particularly Black parents, are disproportionately affected, often lacking flexible or remote work options (The 19th).
Support options employers can consider
Employers looking to support sandwiched employees and caregivers can explore various options, including:
- Onsite childcare
- Backup care
- Navigation services
- Virtual tutoring
- In-home care
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Medical care
- Managing subsidies
- Concierge and supplemental services
- Paid family leave
How employers can help caregivers balance job, care, and home
To effectively support employees with caregiving responsibilities, employers should consider:
- Conducting anonymous surveys to assess caregiving challenges across locations
- Evaluating and implementing support options tailored to employee needs
- Clearly communicating available resources and policies related to PTO, healthcare, and mental health
How Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) supports employers
MMA offers strategic assistance to help employers develop practical, affordable programs that address the needs of sandwiched employees. Contact us to assist with vendor analysis, identify suitable EAP partners, and help optimize PTO policies to better support caregivers balancing job, care, and home.
Download the MMA Caregiving Toolkit to learn more about supporting your workforce.
