Third of organisations unaware of adult caregiving challenges of employees, new research finds

New research* has unveiled the hidden extent of adult caregiving pressures faced by the working population.

1 in 5 people in the UK are now juggling work and care responsibilities, yet the research reveals that a third of organisations are unaware of the challenges faced by employees who are caregivers.

The research offers stark insight to the UK’s care crisis. NHS waiting lists are at an all time high with more than 7 million people on their waitlists stretching to 18-months long, as are the number of working age people who are off on long term sick leave. In the next decade, adults over 40 will soon be the largest growing employee base. Already, by the age 50, 50% of this group will have experienced being a carer for a loved one at home who is an adult.

For the first time, working adults are now looking after more adult dependents than child dependents, establishing the problem as one of the greatest threats to the UK’s adult social care landscape and future economic growth and productivity levels of the UK.

Worryingly, the new research also found that 85% of UK organisations do not offer any type of support for employees undertaking adult care responsibilities. This is despite 50% of HR leaders claiming that the caregiving responsibilities of their employees have impacted their organisation, whether it be via absenteeism, reduced productivity, or staff quitting to become full-time carers.

With growing awareness of the problem, there is appetite among UK businesses for change. Care is no longer just about childcare or even eldercare, where most only provide emergency care. It’s about how to support those managing someone with long term chronic illnesses and ongoing care issues. Other findings from the research reveal that 71% of HR leaders want caregiver leave policies improved or introduced in their organisation in the next 12-24 months. And, in light of the ageing workforce, over 66% of HR leaders feel that addressing the needs of employees in the 40+ age group is very important.

82% of those surveyed agree that providing adult caregiver support benefits impact both employee retention and engagement levels. This is particularly significant for achieving future equality in the workplace, as women are 4x more likely to quit their job or go part time if they become a carer.

Stephanie Leung, Founder and CEO of KareHero, comments: “There is no future of work unless we talk about the future of adult care. The UK, along with all advanced economies in the world are now facing an ageing population crisis. No advanced economy, anywhere in the world, is set up to be able to handle this surging need, and this means the burden will fall on working adults, who are caring for more adult dependents than child dependents.”

“As people live longer, we’re seeing generations age out of the workforce, and working adults are needing to fill in gaps in care. And, with a society geared towards supporting child dependents – with leave policies and childcare grants – it’s clear we have a huge problem. This isn’t just an issue for HR teams within business, but for the wider economy.”

*KareHero

KareHero.com