U.S. News & World Report has announced its inaugural list of best companies for family caregivers to work for, powered by data from SHRM and the Milken Institute’s Center for the Future of Aging.
“Business leaders and HR professionals are crucial in designing benefit plans that meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce. As people live longer, many employees are juggling the dual responsibilities of caring for both children and aging parents,” said Emily M. Dickens, J.D., SHRM chief of staff and head of government affairs. “Unfortunately, caregiver support is often overlooked.”
Dickens added, “Organizations that recognize this challenge and prioritize the well-being of caregivers show not only empathy but a true commitment to creating compassionate, sustainable workplaces. Offering resources to help employees care for sick, aging, or injured loved ones goes beyond being just a benefit—it’s paramount for cultivating a resilient and dedicated workforce.”
U.S. News’ methodology incorporated a weighted scoring approach for the ratings, informed by partner data from SHRM and the Milken Institute. The companies evaluated for the ratings underwent a similar review process to U.S. News’ general best companies, but this report emphasized caregiving-related benefits data.
Workplaces that offer benefits commonly provided within their respective industries were rated higher than those that do not. The ratings also considered publicly available employee sentiment and other data that demonstrates how a company supports the everyday experience of its workers. The ratings only considered companies listed in the Russell 3000 Index.
We’ve gathered articles related to caregiving support in the workplace from SHRM.
Need for Caregiving Benefits
Approximately 1 in 4 employees are in the sandwich generation, supporting the needs of aging parents while also raising school-age children, according to Pew Research. There also are a growing number of people who self-identify as having a disability, indicating an increasing need for caregiving support, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the number of workers with disabilities has been steadily increasing.
Caregiving Stress
The mental toll of caregiving can hurt individuals’ mental and physical health, sometimes leading to exhaustion. Plus, arranging for managed care can cause financial strain, as well.
Some employees keep their caregiving responsibilities under wraps for fear of missing out on promotions or losing their jobs. Many resign because they’re pulled in too many directions.
Some employers are aware of the challenges their caregiving employees face and provide assistance.
Benefits for Caregivers
Useful benefits for caregivers include paid time off, flexible schedules, remote work, part-time schedules, job sharing, and caregiver services.
EEOC Guidance on Preventing Discrimination
In 2022, during the Biden administration, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance on preventing unlawful caregiver discrimination related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the guidance, the EEOC stated, “Employers may not discriminate against applicants or employees with caregiving responsibilities based on characteristics protected by the laws enforced by the EEOC, including caregivers’ sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), race, color, religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, association with an individual with a disability, or genetic information (including family medical history). These protections are available to workers with any type of caregiving responsibilities, including care for children, spouses, partners, relatives, individuals with disabilities, or others.”
The EEOC noted that state and local laws may provide additional protections for workers with caregiving responsibilities.
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