THRIVING TOGETHER
Equipping Employers to Support Working Caregivers
Caregiving and careers can coexist—and help people thrive
Millions of employees balance work with caring for children, aging parents, or loved ones with health needs. Without employer support, caregiving strains productivity, loyalty, and well-being, but with the right policies and culture, employers and employees alike can flourish.
Join the SHRM Foundation to help employers create workplaces where caregivers can thrive at work and at home.
Our Impact
Caregiving in the Workplace: Real Stories, Real Impact
Caregiving touches every career. This short video highlights real stories—and the difference employers make when they build more supportive, flexible workplaces.
Overview
73%
of U.S. workers have caregiving responsibilities
(Harvard Business School, 2021)
61%
of caregivers report that their role has negatively impacted their job or career trajectory.
(National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 2021)
44B
is the estimated annual cost to U.S. employers from caregiving-related absenteeism and turnover.
(AARP, 2022)
Caregiving affects every sector and role. Without support, employees scale back their hours, take leave, or exit the workforce entirely, disrupting business continuity and increasing costs. Companies that provide flexibility, paid leave, and culture-based support see higher retention, engagement, and morale.
The SHRM Foundation’s research and partnerships equip employers to recognize caregiving as a workforce issue — not a personal one. We develop guidance, toolkits, and convenings that help organizations adopt flexible policies, normalize care conversations, and build sustainable cultures of empathy.
The SHRM Foundation is helping employers recognize and support caregivers so that they can thrive —strengthening families, businesses, and communities.
Resources & Tools
Working While Caring: Innovations and Interventions to Support Caregivers in the Workplace
A Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers white paper outlining evidence-based employer interventions.
‘Five Good Ideas’ on Supporting Caregivers at the Workplace
Practical guidance from leading practitioners for embedding caregiver support into HR strategy and daily operations.
National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
A federal road map offering policy-aligned strategies that employers can integrate into their benefits and culture.