7 Workplace Benefits Caregivers Should Know
By Maryalene LaPonsie, Katy Marquardt and Susannah Snider
These benefits can help caregivers juggle their many responsibilities.
Key Takeaways
- Workplaces provide a variety of benefits that can make it easier for employees to care for their loved ones.
- Both paid and unpaid leave options are available at many workplaces.
- Benefits that can help caregivers financially include subsidized insurance coverage, child care and flexible spending accounts.
- Workplaces may offer specialty benefits such as access to caregiver concierge services.
Caregiving is a part of daily life for many American workers. Employees may be caring for minor children at home, or they could be among the increasing number of people caring for aging relatives. From 2011 to 2022, the number of family caregivers helping aging adults with daily activities increased 32% to 24.1 million people nationwide.
Whether it is for children or aging adults, caregiving is a significant commitment – both in terms of time and money. Some workplace benefits, however, may help reduce that burden.
“Often, it’s a combination of benefits that prove to be most beneficial,” says Breanna Boysel, chief care officer with Cariloop, a concierge caregiver support program.
Workplace caregiving benefits include:
- Leave time
- Flexible scheduling
- Financial savings
- On-site care
- Employee assistance programs
- Legal services
- Caregiver concierge services
Read on for more about each caregiving workplace benefit. And for more information on the employers that provide benefits to caregivers, explore the U.S. News Best Companies to Work For: Supporting Family Caregiving list. All companies on the list provide at least the ability to work from home, primary caregiving paid leave and nonprimary caregiver paid leave. When exploring companies in the list, look out for the "Benefits and Perks" section, which marks caregiving-related benefits with a special flag.
Image by Unsplash
