Workplace Caregivers with Sherry Snelling, Bonni Kaplan DeWoskin, Darra Wray, Shawn Moore, and Liz O’Donnell
Caregiving now touches most of the U.S. workforce. Nearly 73% of employees have some caregiving role, and about 30% support an older adult. The resulting absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover cost employers an estimated $68 billion annually. Caregivers devote an average of 24 hours per week to care in addition to their jobs – making this an imperative from both the productivity and wellness perspectives.
Our guests expanded on what companies can do to ensure their employees who also give care while at home can do so in ways that makes sense from all viewpoints.
Reframe and communicate continuously (Snelling)
Caregiving is a “life-course” reality, not a crisis event. Employees need year-round messaging about benefits and support. Manager training, C-suite storytelling, and emerging Chief Wellness Officer roles help normalize care. Micro-habits like 25- or 55-minute meetings give teams built-in self-care breaks.
The data say “act now” (DeWoskin)
Surveys show steep increases in employees devoting more (and more!) work hours to caregiving; over half would literally change jobs for family-care benefits.
ERGs are the bridge (Wray)
Employee resource groups turn policy into practice, helping caregivers identify themselves and find support. Hewlett-Packard integrates caregiving within its Disability BIN, pairing paid leave with cultural norms like “no-meeting” blocks.
Include military and veteran caregivers (Moore)
Some 5.5 million serve as family caregivers, often younger and caregiving longer. Employers should ask function-based questions to connect them to resources such as EDF’s financial assistance and respite programs.
Recognize and benchmark leaders (O’Donnell)
Working Daughter’s Best Places to Work list celebrates employers making care compatible with career growth – turning awareness into action.
Recorded on December 1, 2022, this episode is part of our Future of Work as well as our Caregiver Friendly Products Series. Speakers are listed in their order of appearance.
Sherri Snelling, Founder and CEO, Caregiving Club
Bonni Kaplan DeWoskin, VP/CMO, Homethrive at time of recording this show
Currently:
Founder/Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, CMOScout
CMO Reside Admissions; Empathetics and more
Darra Wray, Creator, My Data Diary+
Founder, My Care Companions
Shawn Moore, LMSW, Financial Wellness and Director, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Liz O’Donnell, Founder, Working Daughter
Included in the discussion: Dr. Zalan Alam
Debbie Howard’s summary of this show.
====
Hosted by: Linda Sherman, Debbie Howard, Steve Ewell and Michael Phillips. Further info on them is in the sidebar, fifth item with a microphone symbol.
We continue to record new Rethinking Aging Club podcasts live on Thursdays. How to join live.
Please follow both of our podcasts including News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club.
We are catching up with publishing historical Rethinking Aging Club podcasts with 143 already published and 8 to go. We hope to be current by the end of November 2025.
New episodes on both of our podcasts are usually published within a couple of days after they are recorded.
Music: Solemnity written and performed by Richard Sherman
