Employer provided caregiver benefits
Caregiver benefits are growing in popularity as part of employer-provided benefits packages. In fact, according to recent research conducted by the Northeast Business Group with the AARP, caregiving is in the top 10 employee benefits that employers prioritize.
Caregiving Benefit Packages
The most caregiver-friendly employers seem to have a custom package that includes programs such as support groups and training classes for caregivers, in addition to leave time designated for caregiving needs. Others, though, provide much slimmer benefits for employees.
Many of the companies who were evaluated in the research allowed employees who are caregivers to use sick, personal or vacation days for caregiving. However, less than half of these companies had specialized benefits programs for caregivers.
Employers’ thoughts on caregivers
Overall, research indicated that employers understand the need for caregiver benefits for their employees. More than half of companies evaluated indicated that they believed that it was commonplace for employees to spend up to 20 hours a week as a caregiver.
What can you do to receive caregiver benefits?
As large companies begin to provide these benefits, they will become more popular. If you feel that caregiver benefits should be provided by your employer, talk with your HR representative about the process for suggesting changes to benefit packages and follow the proper channels to advocate for these benefits. If you work for a small to mid-sized company with a limited budget for paid leave, they may be able to offer flexible scheduling instead.
To help you balance your role as both an employee and a caregiver, connect with a great homecare company and use their support programs. Many times, health insurance will cover home care. Hiring a home care worker can provide you with the backup you need to fulfill your roles and live a balanced life.
