Caregiving looks different for everyone. Each journey is often dependent on one’s lived experiences and identity factors, like age and gender, but the reality is racial disparities also exist within the world of caregiving. As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s important to not only listen to the experiences of Black caregivers but to understand steps to take in order to create a genuine, inclusive work environment.
In America, 73% of all employees are providing care for a loved one, and according to the CDC, 1 in 4 of them are Black adults. Black employees are also more likely to provide more than 40 hours of care per week for a loved one, which is 16% higher than the national average. No matter who Black employees are taking care of, the impacts of caregiving are amplified.
From an adult child going through the healthcare system for their aging parent with Alzheimer’s to a parent navigating the education system for their child, Black caregivers of all generations are more likely to feel ignored by providers, experience racial stereotyping, be less informed about options for care, and experience higher levels of stress and related illnesses.
Employees across identities often have to make the decision between being present at work and providing care for their loved ones. Some are even leaving the workforce because they don’t know how to balance their work and caregiving responsibilities. This puts a strain on the employee and on their leaders, resulting in lower engagement, absenteeism and even decreased retention rates.
The toll these employees are feeling, especially with the experiences of Black caregivers, is an issue of diversity, equity and inclusion. And providing solutions to DEI is more than checking a box—it’s about truly meeting employees where they are and wanting to find ways to meet their diverse needs.
Adding a solution to support employee caregivers cultivates a genuine, inclusive work environment that supports everyone and recognizes the unique caregiving journeys of your employee base. As employees get help from a caregiver support benefit, they can feel more balanced in their work and home lives, and empowered in making informed care decisions for their loved ones.
So what benefits can employers see from having an inclusive caregiving solution? Employers experience higher engagement and retention, a stronger DEI initiative, a more empathetic workforce, and an employee base that feels seen, heard and supported.
Take time to understand how your employee base is affected by caregiving in 2023, especially Black caregivers. Steps to understand your employees include:
- Encouraging Employee Resource Groups
- Having one-on-one conversations
- Giving flexibility, inside and outside the workplace
- Providing caregiver support
To learn more about how caregiver support can help your employee base, reach out to us at any time.
