The role of employers in informal care: from understanding to action | Anders Denken Podcast with Kim Dirkse

Combining informal care and work is a challenge for many employees. There are 2.4 million working informal caregivers in the Netherlands, which means that one in four employees care for someone close to them in addition to their job. This could be a parent, partner, child or friend. There is an important role for employers here: how can you support employees without sacrificing productivity and business continuity?

Awareness and discussion

One of the biggest sticking points with informal care in the workplace is unfamiliarity with the subject. Many informal caregivers do not discuss their situation for fear of negative career consequences. Research shows that 44% of working family caregivers do not discuss their care responsibilities at work. Yet 89% experience a better balance once the conversation is held. As an employer, you can encourage an open Organizational culture in which informal care can be discussed and employees feel supported.

Flexibility

Informal caregivers rarely ask for additional leave, but flexibility is essential. Consider adjustments in working hours, the possibility of working from home or temporarily reducing hours. Customization is crucial here, because every informal care situation is different. By adopting a flexible attitude, you prevent employees from becoming overburdened and eventually (temporarily) dropping out.

Win-win for employers and employees

When family caregivers feel supported by their employer, this leads to more loyalty, less absenteeism and higher engagement. Carer-friendly policy is a strategic choice that contributes to a healthy work environment and thus sustainable employability of your employees. By taking informal care seriously and actively supporting it, you as an employer invest in a future-proof organization.

Listen to the Anders Thinking Podcast episode #26 on family caregiving

Learn more about informal care and curious about tips on how best to support employees who provide informal care? Then listen to the episode of the Anders Denken Podcast about informal care. In it, informal care broker Kim Dirkse shares insights on how organizations can better deal with employees who care for a loved one and how the combination of work and informal care can be made easier.