More than two-fifths of working caregivers report their careers have been hampered by caregiving responsibilities, according to new research released Monday by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
The findings highlight widespread challenges for the estimated 53 million Americans balancing caregiving duties with employment, with many facing workplace stigma and insufficient support systems that lead to missed workdays, reduced hours and career sacrifices.
“Caregiving is no longer merely a personal responsibility — it has become a structural matter with significant implications for businesses and the workforce,” said Emily M. Dickens, SHRM’s chief of staff and head of government affairs.
Economic impact
The research quantifies substantial economic costs, with caregivers missing an average of 1.2 workdays monthly due to inadequate support, translating to approximately $17.5 billion in lost wages each month nationwide.
Many working caregivers reported taking drastic measures in the past year, with 28% reducing work hours, 21% scaling back workloads and 14% changing jobs to find more flexible arrangements. Some have turned to self-employment or stopped retirement contributions to accommodate caregiving duties.
The disconnect between employer offerings and caregiver needs appears particularly pronounced for long-term care situations. While 80% of caregivers surveyed report responsibilities lasting over a year, only 35% of HR professionals believe their organizations adequately address these long-term needs.
Persistent challenges
The research identified several critical gaps in support across different caregiving categories:
- Nearly half of working caregivers lack consistent support — 47% for those caring for children, 56% for adults and 50% for elderly individuals
- One in five working caregivers (20%) report being treated poorly at work because of their caregiving responsibilities
- 22% say their organizations maintain a negative stigma around caregiving status
The reports, titled “Care and Careers: Navigating Caregiving and Work Responsibilities” and “The Caregiving Imperative: Organizational Solutions for Supporting Caregivers and Elevating Business Performance,” also highlight emerging workforce trends that could exacerbate these challenges.
Looking ahead, 18% of current caregivers anticipate taking on additional elder care responsibilities in the next five years, while 21% expect to assume more child care duties and 14% foresee caring for other adults. Among workers not currently providing care, 13% expect to begin elder caregiving within five years.
The studies also found that 57% of currently unemployed caregivers plan to enter or re-enter the workforce, underscoring the need for more inclusive hiring practices and supportive workplace policies.
The findings were based on surveys conducted from September to October 2024, involving 1,470 HR professionals, 3,042 working caregivers, 1,249 unemployed caregivers and 1,543 workers without caregiving responsibilities.
