DETERMINING THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT: SUPPORTIVE POLICIES FOR EMPLOYEE CAREGIVERS

Abstract

Population aging combined with limited publicly funded and provided elder care in the U.S. means that family caregivers play an increasingly important role. Those added responsibilities represent significant challenges for caregivers, especially for women, who still shoulder the lion’s share of the work. At a time when women increasingly participate in the formal workforce, they find themselves “sandwiched” between the simultaneous responsibilities of caring for children and parents. As a result, there is great interest in having more workplace flexibility and support to help juggle the conflicting demands of the workplace and home.