Caring for caregivers should be top of mind.

Caregiving has become an increasingly important issue in today's society, with more and more individuals taking on the responsibility of caring for a loved one. According to Cariloop, an average of 73% of an organization's workforce is comprised of employees who are balancing caregiving responsibilities. They are scheduling doctor's appointments, searching for new providers and resources, caring for an aging parent, or trying to be present in their child's life - all while trying to be productive and present in their professional careers. It can be a lot to balance, therefore, it is crucial for employers to recognize the importance of providing caregiving benefits to support their employees. 

In honor of November's National Family Caregivers Month, Virgin Pulse teamed up with our caregiver support partner, Cariloop, to delve into why caregiving benefits are significant to an organization and how they can positively impact both employees and the company as a whole. 

1. Attracting and Retaining Talented Employees 

In a highly competitive job market, offering caregiving benefits can give employers an edge when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent. Whether caring for children, aging parents, or disabled family members, employees are looking to their employers to provide options that support their home life. 

Demonstrate your commitment to your employees by offering caregiving benefits such as: 

• Flexible work schedules
• Paid caregiving leave
• Subsidized childcare

2. Increased Employee Productivity and Engagement

Providing caregiving benefits can directly contribute to increased productivity and employee engagement. When employees are worried about the welfare of their loved ones, it can become a significant source of stress and distraction, negatively impacting their performance at work. 

Alleviate some of your employees' stress while boosting their productivity by offering access to Cariloop's Care Coaches, who can guide employees through challenges and take some of the burden off their plate. In fact, Cariloop's Care Coaches save employees 73 hours per case on average. In 2022, that resulted in more than 308,000 hours of productivity saved for employers. 

3. Reduced Absenteeism and Presenteeism

Caregiving responsibilities can often to lead to increased absenteeism and presenteeism among employees. Workdays can be disrupted due to emergencies, medical appointments, or the need to provide ongoing assistance to loved ones. Without adequate support or benefits, employees may be forced to take unplanned time off or leave their jobs altogether. 

4. Positive Company Culture and Reputation

Providing caregiving benefits not only helps employees but also enhances the overall company culture. Employers can foster a culture of empathy, support and inclusivity by prioritizing employee wellbeing and recognizing the challenges they face outside of work. This contributes to higher employee satisfaction, morale, and a sense of belonging within the organization. Moreover, offering caregiving benefits can enable companies to build a positive reputation within the industry and attract like-minded individuals who value a supportive work environment.

Ready to explore how to support the caregivers in your organization? 

Caregivers are all around us. They are working parents, sons and daughters caring for their aging parents, a family friend assisting an elderly neighbor, a sister helping to pick up the kids. The stories are endless. Their needs and challenges are all unique and sometimes can be overwhelming. 

Investing in caregiving benefits is not only beneficial for the wellbeing of your caregiver employees but also results in a more successful and thriving organization for everyone. 

Enhance your health and wellbeing program by adding our caregiver support partner, Cariloop. Reach out to your Virgin Pulse Account Management team to learn more. 

Support your caregivers with Cariloop

Cariloop helps families manager their loved ones' care needs by connecting them to an employer-sponsored caregiver support platform. Cariloop's experienced Care Coaches provide personalized guidance and professional support, while the digital platform provides easy access to robust collaboration tools and critical caregiving resources.