Working Caregiver- Caregiver Articles

Did you know that more organizations are starting to use backup care? Employers are considering adding as a work/life benefit because it can reduce absenteeism due to child and family caregiving issues.  They are providing temporary care solutions when regular care is not available or when unexpected situations arise. This will be a considerable value for working caregivers! Having an alternative care arrangement will be provided in a variety of settings, including dedicated care facilities, employee homes or the homes of employees' distantly located family members. This employee benefit - backup care is one of the fastest growing benefits offered by employers.

According to the Society of Human Resource Management, unscheduled employee absenteeism affects most organizations. 25% of HR professionals (22%) reported that unscheduled employee absenteeism was a problem "to a large degree" and an additional 43% reported that it was a problem "to some degree."

Even though many U.S. employers offering backup care benefits, the majority of HR professionals reported that they were not at all aware of backup care. Only 7% of respondents reported that they were very aware of backup care benefits. The good news, most HR professionals are interested in adding back up care benefits after reading about temporary care solutions and alternatives.

Hopefully, for the working family caregiver, the percentage of U.S. employers offering backup care benefits continue to grow in the coming years as recognition of the attributes of backup care arrangements increases.