Care givers in the workplace: employer support for employees with elderly and chronically disabled dependents

With increasing demands for dependent care, and more women in the work force, employees may be required to balance work and care giving responsibilities. The New York Business Group on Health survey examines the role of business and industry concerning this issue: employer awareness about problems of employees responsible for the care of elderly or chronically disabled dependent family members, and company programs and policies to deal with employee care giver problems. Findings from this exploratory study of 69 companies in the greater New York area indicate that approximately half are aware of care giver needs, and many have identified employee problems in the workplace (lateness, absenteeism, etc). Few have programs designed specifically for care givers. However, larger companies and those with a predominantly female work force have more policies and programs that can accommodate care giver needs. Various strategies currently being tried by companies to support care givers are described.