Caregiver employees are a significant part of today’s workforce, juggling their professional role with their responsibility to help a loved one in need due to ill health, age, or disability. Their contribution is invaluable, but their situation can be emotionally and logistically demanding. In this article, we look at the vital role of caregiver employees in the workplace and the schemes that can be put in place to support them.
Caregiver employees: a challenge
Caregiver employees face double the workload, leading to stress, fatigue, and even mental health problems. They juggle their professional duties while providing invaluable support to their loved ones. This can affect their well-being and productivity at work.
Supporting caregiver employees
Companies that know the importance of their caregiver employees can implement support schemes to help them balance their work and family responsibilities. Here are some measures to consider:
Conscious listening: Listening to employees is always important, especially in these cases. By listening actively and without judgement, you can get to know your colleague’s real circumstances better and know what options may be available. You don’t need to know all the details, just that you’re there.
Flexible leave policies: Offer flexible leave options, remote working, or adapted working hours to enable caring employees to manage their time better.
Support groups: Create in-house support groups such as Employe Resource Groups (ERGs) where employees who provide care can share their experiences and get advice from their peers.
Awareness training: Make all staff aware of the reality of caregiving employees to promote understanding and solidarity.
Access to resources: Provide caregivers with information on local resources, homecare services, and government programmes to help caregivers.
Implement a mental well-being solution: Implementing an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is extremely beneficial for employees. This will provide them with personalised psychological support and help them tackle mental health issues related to their role as caregivers.
The benefits of supporting employees who help others
Supporting caregiving employees offers multiple benefits to both individuals and companies. This commitment aligns with ethical values and is a wise business strategy as it fosters a thriving and efficient workplace. Here are some benefits of backing these employees:
1. Improved employee morale
Organisations demonstrate empathy and understanding by acknowledging and accommodating employees’ caregiving roles or volunteer commitments, increasing morale. Improved morale also means increased job satisfaction as members are motivated and engaged in their work.
2. Reduced abstenteeism
In the UK, “Each year over 2 million people have given up work at some point to care, and 3 million have reduced working hours”, proving that without adequate support from companies, employees turn to absenteeism as they cannot cope. Therefore, employees who receive support for their caregiving responsibilities or volunteer work are more likely to manage their time effectively, reducing the need for unscheduled absences. This reduction in absenteeism ensures a more consistent and reliable workforce, minimising disruptions to business operations.
3. Reduced staff turnover
Organisations that prioritise employee support are viewed more favorably by their workforce. This positive perception fosters greater employee loyalty and reduces turnover rates. Employees who receive assistance in balancing their work and personal commitments are less likely to seek alternative employment opportunities.
4. Boosts productivity and engagement
When employees know that their organisation values their contributions outside of work, they tend to reciprocate with increased commitment and dedication. This heightened sense of loyalty and motivation translates into improved job performance, as employees are more focused and engaged in their tasks.
5. Improved mental well-being
When organizations make an effort to ensure that their employees feel valued and supported not only in their professional roles but also in their personal life, it has a profound impact on their mental well-being. This, in turn, leads to a reduction in stress and burnout, yielding a range of positive outcomes for both employees and the organization as a whole.
Nurturing mental well-being at work
Acknowledging and supporting caregiver employees in the workplace is essential to fostering well-being at work and sustaining a thriving workforce. The schemes put in place may vary according to the specific needs of each organisation, but the objective remains the same: to enable these dedicated employees to fulfil their professional potential while caring for their loved ones.
At ifeel, we partner with companies worldwide to inspire human growth and guide organisations in cultivating a positive mental well-being culture. A tailored and people-centric approach that places your employees’ health at the core, as a fundamental pillar in attracting and retaining talent and enhancing their sense of belonging.
A unique, comprehensive, and scalable solution that uses the power of data to provide a holistic understanding of your employees’ mental well-being while ensuring service quality and confidentiality for your team.
We hope you found this post on caregiver employees interesting. If you would like more information about ifeel’s employee well-being platform, simply request it, and we will contact your team as soon as possible.
