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 an inclusive work environment.
The unique challenges of Black caregivers
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 at least 30 hours of care per week for a loved one, and more than half are considered “sandwich generation caregivers.” No matter who Black employees are taking care of, the impacts of caregiving are amplified. In addition, the financial burden is greater for Black caregivers. Typically, family caregivers spend around 26% of their income on caregiving activities, but Black caregivers face a higher burden and report spending 34% of their income on caregiving needs.
Employees across identities often have to make the decision between being present at work and providing care for their loved ones. Some even leave 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.
Why employers should offer inclusive caregiver support
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.
How to support Black caregivers in the workplace
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, especially Black caregivers. Steps to understand your employees include:
- Encouraging open conversations and feedback from Employee Resource Groups
- Arming managers to have one-on-one conversations to look for signs someone may need extra support
- Giving flexibility, inside and outside the workplace
- Providing benefits that help working parents and senior caregivers
To learn more about how caregiver support can help your employee base, reach out to us at any time.