Focusing on Caregivers for National Caregivers Month

A growing number of clients have employees who are caregivers. Whether they're tending to their parents, young children or in some cases both, the number of caregivers is growing.

Around 22% of employers stated that over a quarter of their employees are caregivers.¹ This result points to the rising need for paid family leave. Unfortunately, many clients don't provide paid leave to employees. Only 40% offer leave in some form — and for many, it's not always paid. Policies often take shape as another type of leave, like vacation or sick days, to receive pay for caregiving leave.

This can leave clients, and their employees, in a tough spot.

Some employers who provide leave tend to offer basic policies:

• Allows an employee time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Family members are usually a spouse, child or parent.
• Covers up to 12 weeks of leave in a 52-week period after the employee has met eligibility requirements.
• Offers unpaid leave but provides job protection.
• Allows other leave types that may provide payment for employees that runs alongside caregiving leave.

Some employers also provide their own company-sponsored paid or unpaid leaves. And a growing number of states now require paid family leave.

Whatever the case may be, clients are looking for ways to better support their employees, especially caregivers.

Flexible Work Arrangements Can Help

Clients are more and more beginning to offer flexible work arrangements for caregivers. Popular options with clients have been to offer remote work options, or to provide flexible schedule arrangements.

EAP services for caregivers:

• Financial counseling
• Legal counseling
• Mindfulness and stress management
• Elder care resources
• Child care resources

Support Beyond Leave — Employee Assistance Programs

Caregiving employees also need support that they can access without taking leave. EAP² is the most common resource. These services help employee caregivers to stay at work while they fill in other gaps.

Making sure that you can help clients support their employees, especially those who provide care, is a great way to build trust and add value. Contact your sales rep for more information on how to support caregivers.