Harvard Business Review LogoAugust 31, 2026justocker/Getty ImagesEmployees regularly balance work with caregiving responsibilities, whether it is child care, eldercare, or caring for another family member. Yet many organizations lack visibility into who theirMost of us are caregivers. Seventy-three percent of all U.S. employees, and 71% of employees globally, identify as caregivers with responsibilities to look after children, aging parents, or other family members. Fifty-four percent of employees in their 40s identify as sandwiched caregivers, providing for the needs of parents aged 65 and older while also raising children or providing for a young adult child 18 years and older.
You Need to Understand Your Employees’ Caregiving Responsibilities
Employees regularly balance work with caregiving responsibilities, whether it is child care, eldercare, or caring for another family member. Yet many organizations lack visibility into who their caregivers are and what support they need. Because caregiving often carries stigma and perceived career risks, employees frequently conceal these responsibilities, creating stress, burnout, and retention challenges. Leaders should make caregiving more visible through an anonymous, recurring “care census” that helps identify employee needs and informs workplace policies. By collecting data, engaging employees in the process, and acting on the findings, organizations can design more effective flexibility, leave, and caregiving benefits. Treating caregiving as a workforce issue rather than a private matter enables leaders to reduce attrition, better support employees, and build a more resilient organization.
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