Nov
03

As we honor National Caregiver Month this November, it’s time to recognize that caregiving is no longer a peripheral issue—it’s a central force shaping workforce dynamics, employee well-being, and organizational resilience. For over 35 years, the Boston College Center for Work & Family (BCCWF) has driven progress on critical work-life issues related to caregiving, emphasizing the importance of flexible work, paid leave for parents and caregivers of all types, and promoting men as equal caregivers. From our recent conversations with work-life practitioners and thought leaders, it is clear that employers are looking for ways to better understand the care demographics of their workforces and the invisible loads they carry, and respond with supports that make a difference.

The Caregiving Reality: Universal, Invisible, and Intensifying

“Working while caregiving” is a nearly universal experience. Whether supporting aging parents, children with disabilities, spouses with chronic illness, or navigating end-of-life care, employees are managing complex responsibilities alongside their professional roles. Yet many do not self-identify as caregivers, and only 56% report that their supervisor is aware of their caregiving status (AARP 2015).