{"id":8833,"date":"2024-10-23T17:24:37","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T17:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/business\/?p=8833"},"modified":"2024-10-23T18:34:07","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T18:34:07","slug":"caregiving-a-common-thread-across-multi-generational-workforcecaregiving-a-common-thread-across-todays-multi-generational-workforce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/business\/caregiving-a-common-thread-across-multi-generational-workforcecaregiving-a-common-thread-across-todays-multi-generational-workforce\/","title":{"rendered":"Caregiving: a common thread across today\u2019s multi-generational workforce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In today’s diverse workplace, with four generations working side by side, it\u2019s easy to focus on the differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers. But there’s a common challenge that unites them all. Addressing it can have a significant impact on employee recruiting, productivity, and loyalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our 4th<\/sup> Annual Future of Benefits Report<\/a>, all generations of employees report having caregiving responsibilities, whether they\u2019re providing care for children, grandchildren, seniors, or pets. The generations also agree on the need for caregiver support through the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balancing caregiving and work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In many ways, caregiving priorities align with where each generation is along their life journey, but Care\u2019s research uncovered a few surprises. As expected, child care is a top concern for working parents, particularly Millennials and Gen X employees. But, while older generations have traditionally been more focused on senior care, these responsibilities are shifting. Today, senior caregiving is nearly evenly dispersed across all generations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aging population and longer life spans are the main drivers of the shift. The number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to more than double<\/a> between 2000 and 2040. In the same period, the number of adults aged 85 and older will almost quadruple. As a result, an increasing number of employees will be \u201csandwiched,\u201d caring for children and seniors at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caregiving responsibilities affect nearly every aspect of an employee\u2019s life, including their work. 62% of family caregivers<\/a> who are full-time employees rank the stress of managing their job and caregiving as their first or second biggest challenge. The emotional, physical, and financial stress takes a toll on employee productivity, performance, and retention.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of caregiver support<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Providing family care benefits to support employees of all ages is a smart business strategy for recruiting and retaining top, multi-generational talent. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n