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LifeSpeak's New Initiative for Caregiver Support

In celebration of National Family Caregivers Month, which takes place in November, LifeSpeak Inc. has unveiled a pivotal new resource aimed at assisting organizations in supporting their employees who are balancing caregiving duties. The initiative highlights the urgent need for workplace adjustments as one in four employees provide unpaid caregiving, averaging close to 27 hours a week. This significant commitment often mirrors having a second job, impacting their overall wellness and job performance.

The guide, named "Invisible Load, Visible Impact: Supporting Caregivers at Work in 2026," is tailored for managers and workplace leaders. Its primary objective is to provide actionable strategies that address the increasing challenges faced by working caregivers. The document serves to help mitigate issues such as burnout, high turnover rates, and losses in productivity, which can be exacerbated by caregiving responsibilities.

According to data, approximately 63 million individuals in the United States and another 7 million in Canada are engaged in unpaid caregiving roles yearly. Despite the significant demographic, these caregivers often find themselves unsupported, leading to detrimental business impacts, including raised healthcare costs, absenteeism, and presenteeism. The cost of caregiving-related burnout can range from $4,200 to $20,000 annually per affected employee, while productivity losses affect organizations by around $5,600 per caregiver each year.

Jason Campana, CEO of LifeSpeak, emphasizes the necessity for employers to acknowledge caregiving's impact on their workforce. He notes, “Whether it's parenting responsibilities or caring for an aging loved one – or in many cases, both – it's vital for employers to understand how caregiving can strain their employees.” With this guide, LifeSpeak aims to provide comprehensive tools for organizations, designed to foster a supportive environment for caregivers and enhance overall organizational performance.

The guide encapsulates essential insights derived from both LifeSpeak members and third-party caregiving data, moving from mere awareness to actionable strategies for HR and leadership teams. It includes checklists, steps for action, and key takeaways that help organizations retain talent and lower employee stress levels, all while cultivating a more resilient workplace culture.

With an alarming 16% of caregivers having resigned due to their responsibilities, and only a quarter claiming to be in good health, the implications for businesses are significant. Caregiving represents a profound aspect of both individual and organizational health that requires immediate attention.

Key Features of the Guide

• - Practical Guidance: The resource outlines types of support that working caregivers require from their employers, along with actionable tips for providing this support.
• - Case Studies: Insight into how leading organizations currently support caregivers within their workforce.
• - Managerial Checklist: A practical checklist designed to assist managers in supporting their caregiver employees.
• - Business Justification: Comprehensive information on the ROI of supporting caregiving employees, including metrics on the costs attributed to lack of support.

Campana remarks, “Caregiving does not cease with the arrival of the workday; it affects all facets of an employee’s wellbeing – spanning mental, emotional, physical, and financial domains.” The LifeSpeak guide aims to address the comprehensive needs of employees, providing insights into how organizations can support caregivers effectively both in the workplace and beyond.

For more detailed information and to access the guide, interested parties can visit LifeSpeak's website.

About LifeSpeak

LifeSpeak Inc. is a leading provider of digital preventative wellbeing solutions, currently serving over 14 million users across more than 1,000 organizations globally. The platform offers an AI-powered wellbeing suite that delivers tailored resources for various life stages, focusing on topics from mental health to caregiving. LifeSpeak is committed to improving health outcomes, promoting healthier and more engaged teams, and shaping the future of workplace wellbeing.