Somewhere in your organization, an employee is wrapping up a report while waiting for a call from their mom’s doctor. Another is joining a meeting after dropping off their child at therapy. These quiet acts of care keep families — and your business — moving forward.
Nearly three-quarters of the workforce provides care for a child, partner, parent, or friend, often without recognition or support at work. That hidden load directly shapes employee engagement, absenteeism, and retention.
The many faces of caregiving
Caregiving doesn’t always look the same, and most of the time it’s invisible at work. Many employees never identify themselves as caregivers, even though they spend their mornings helping a parent manage medications, their lunch breaks checking in on a partner, or their evenings supporting a child with special needs.
Some caregiving journeys begin gradually, like running errands for an aging relative or organizing weekly appointments. Others begin overnight, after a diagnosis or medical crisis that changes everything. Each situation is different, but all require time, focus, and emotional energy—resources employees often have to stretch thin. When those demands go unseen, stress follows them into the workday.
Behind every caregiver story are daily realities that can quietly affect work and well-being:
- Emotional strain: Managing stress, uncertainty, or grief while staying present for others
- Time pressure: Balancing work responsibilities with parenting, household duties, or care coordination
- Financial impact: Covering medical expenses or cutting back on hours to provide care
- Isolation: Losing connection with friends or colleagues due to limited free time
- Health risks: Neglecting their own well-being while focusing on someone else’s needs
Only 49% of working caregivers share their caregiving role with their supervisor, often because they worry it will be seen as a lack of commitment. That’s why awareness matters. When leaders understand the range of caregiving experiences and create space for honest conversations, employees can access the support they need before reaching a breaking point.
Why family caregivers need recognition at work
According to AARP’s 2025 Caregiving in the U.S. report, nearly three out of four employees are balancing work with family care, a load that’s hard to sustain. Sixty-seven percent of family caregivers say they struggle to keep up with both roles. The workplace impact: more than half arrive late, leave early, or take time off; 18% reduce their hours; 16% take a leave of absence; and 9% leave their jobs entirely, according to AARP’s research.
These numbers reflect real people doing their best to stay steady for others while trying to stay afloat themselves. Recognition and understanding from employers make a measurable difference. When caregivers feel supported, they bring that same care back into their work with focus and commitment. That’s how cultures of compassion become cultures of performance.
Practical ways to support working caregivers
After supporting thousands of employees through Cariloop, we’ve seen what works: small, consistent actions that make caregiving part of company culture, not just a policy on paper.
Normalize caregiving
Start by naming it. Encourage company leaders to share their own care experiences or highlight caregiver stories during team meetings. When caregiving is spoken about openly, employees stop hiding it and start seeking the support they need.
Offer real help, not lip service
Policies only work if people can use them. Offer benefits that take pressure off, like Backup Care for care disruptions, coaching for care planning, and mental health resources for emotional resilience. These programs remind employees they don’t have to do it all alone.
Encourage breathing room
Remind teams that rest is productive. Encourage employees to take their full PTO, schedule mental health days, and step away when needed. Flexible schedules and family-friendly policies help people regroup, rest, and handle personal to-dos without guilt.
Connect people to trusted resources
The easier it is to find support, the faster employees can get back to what matters most at work and at home. Cariloop’s Caregiver Support Platform® gives employees access to expert-backed care plans, tools to manage care tasks, and a community of caregivers and Coaches who understand their challenges (all in one place).
Celebrate caregivers year-round
Recognition builds belonging. Feature caregiver stories in newsletters, host informal “care chats,” or mark National Family Caregivers Month with simple gestures of appreciation. These moments remind employees that care is part of your culture, not just an annual campaign.
When you honor caregivers in visible, practical ways, employees believe caring for others and contributing at work aren’t competing priorities, but part of what makes a strong, human workplace.
Support the everyday heroes in your workforce
This National Caregivers Month, take time to celebrate the employees who care for others every day, often quietly, often while balancing more than anyone realizes. Appreciation is a start. The lasting impact comes from building systems of support that help caregivers feel seen, valued, and equipped to thrive.
We’ve seen how this kind of support changes workplaces. Employees bring more focus and energy. Teams grow stronger. Cultures deepen. When caregiving is part of the conversation all year long, companies strengthen morale, engagement, and retention.
Cariloop partners with employers to make that support real through personalized guidance from experienced Coaches, Backup Care designed for real life, and a platform that combines expert guidance, practical tools, and trusted care options for working caregivers.
Together, we can create workplaces where caring for others and thriving at work go hand in hand.