How to Support your “Sandwich Generation” Employees

“Sandwich Generation”: people balancing their careers along with caring for their children and their aging parents.

 An estimated one in seven Americans between the ages of 40 and 60 are caring for both their children and their parents.  According to a Harvard Business School study, 73 percent of employees in the United States are caring for a child, parent, or friend. The study found that 80 percent of employees surveyed admitted that caregiving affected productivity at work and 32 percent of employees left a job because of their caregiving duties.  Another study found that employee caregivers miss about 12 hours of work a month because of caregiving responsibilities.  

What does this mean for companies?  It means lost productivity, stressed out employees and an impacted bottom line.

What can employers do to help support the growing population of the workforce that is struggling to care for their aging parents and children?

Flex time and Remote work

Allowing employees flexibility to attend appointments and care for aging parents can help reduce stress and lost productivity.  Allowing employees to work remotely where they might be able to set up closer and check on aging parents can also help reduce stress and lost productivity. 

Paid time off

Offering paid time off in one bank instead of dividing time off between sick, personal and vacation allows flexibility when time is needed for child or parent needs.

Aging benefits

Offering benefits such as patient advocacy and care management services can provide peace of mind and extra free time for stressed out employees.  It also helps keep employees focused during working hours.

Placing value on self-care

Promoting a workplace that values self-care and reminds employees that you cannot pour from an empty cup.  Taking care of oneself is one of the most important gifts an employee can give their loved ones.

At Haven Healthcare Advocates we strive to make sure clients and families have all the information they need, and they understand the information they have, in order to make the best healthcare decisions.  We coordinate care to make sure nothing falls between the cracks.  Whether someone is faced with a complicated healthcare issue or crisis, caring for an aging or sick parent, caring for a special needs child, transitioning from hospital, to rehab, to home, or is looking for resources or second opinions, our team of nurses is available to help.  We provide peace of mind, so your employee can enjoy time with their loved ones and can continue to be the best employee possible.  Reach out today to learn more about our corporate programs.