The Cost of Caregiving Helen Patterson
There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and, those who will need caregivers Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady, USA
AGENDA Changing Definition and Dynamic of Family Types of Caregiving Changing Labour Force Cost of Caregiving Stats Best Practice Program Implementation Legal Requirements Q&A
Definition of Family CHRA* Inclusive From bonds of blood or law, including common law Parents, children, siblings, spouses, in-laws, ancestors, descendants, collateral Members who do not live in the same household Can also include chosen families * similar definitions in other human rights regimes
Where do you fit? Caregiving Focus Child raising and parenting Family caregiving for illness, disability Friend caregiving for illness, disability Unpaid caregiving Employed caregivers Prevent discrimination and promote equality
Who do you know who is combining work with unpaid caregiving? (check all that apply) a) you b) your coworker c) your manager or supervisor d) your company/organizational leader e) your union/association representative f) a colleague in your network
Diversity and Complexity of Modern Family More blended families More married same-sex couples Fewer married couples Increase in single-parent families More couples in interreligious unions Increase in interracial relationships Source: Vanier Institute of Family and Statistics Canada
Diversity and Complexity of Modern Family Younger population is changing Stay at home longer Fewer part of a couple More Aboriginal youth Increase in senior population Collective living Multi generational households Divorced or separated Grandparents in the labour force More great-grandparents Source: Vanier Institute of Family and Statistics Canada
Changing Roles of Parents Father Many living with children Increasing participation in housework More taking parental leave Less primary residence Involved in decisions Mother Average age rising Fertility rate falling More in workforce Provide primary residence Parenting with technology
Changing Labour Force Aging population = slow labour force growth Possibility of shortages Increasingly diversified ethno culturally 30% could be foreign-born 30% could belong to a visible minority group Major variations from one province to another Underrepresented groups in labour force Canadian productivity low Impact on family income and economy Source: Vanier Institute of Family and Statistics Canada and Finance Canada
The value of unpaid caregiving? About 23 000 000 000 dollars
Caregiving Stats One quarter of all Canadians not including parenting Half of all Canadians over lifetime Providing care starts young Slight majority are women Most often 45 to 64 Ailing parents most common Common conditions Parents caring for children with a disability highly impacted Source: Statistics Canada
Caregiving Stats Types of care and tasks Requires varying time Time spent varies by region and city Cities versus remote areas Impact rises with time spent and relationship: Health, especially mental health and stress Family finances Work productivity Career, labour force participation Source: Statistics Canada
How well do you think caregivers are supported overall in Canadian society? ( on a scale of 1-4) 1) Not supported at all 2) Only a little 3) Appropriately supported 4) Supported too much already 5) I don t know
Employer Employed people provide care Employees manage caregiving Avoidable costs to employer Turnover Morale and retention Absenteeism health and productivity Coworker and supervisor impact Source: RAPP, University of Alberta
In your workplace, how would you rate your organization s success at supporting employees who are caregivers? ( on a scale of 1-4) 1)Not supported at all 2) Only a little 3) Appropriately supported 4) Supported too much already 5) I don t know
Cost of Caregiving - Employer Productivity 44% of employed caregivers absent from work Collectively absent 9.7 million work days 15% of employed caregivers reduced work hours Collectively worked 255 million fewer hours in a year Source: RAPP, University of Alberta
Feedback for Employers Emerging awareness Assumption - flex arrangements meet most needs Few workplace policies specific to caregivers of adults Organizational culture matters Opportunities for increasing leadership, awareness, training Receptiveness to information and practical resources Information desired: best practices, community resources, jurisdictional comparisons Source: RAPP/Centre for Families Work and Well-Being/Vanier Institute
Feedback for Employers Requirements of positions - limited flexibility 24/7 operations and shift work Lack of interchangeability of positions Managing multiple requests for accommodation and flexibility Small communities and remote locations Concept of employee choice versus preference Concerns about productivity with flexwork Source: RAPP/Centre for Families Work and Well-Being/Vanier Institute/CHRC
Feedback for Employers Approaches: Leadership and culture Plan for inclusion Flexibility first Strategic approach Workforce analysis Accommodation Activities: Update benefits, leave, and policies Training and awareness Provide information Workshops/sessions Support employee networks Source: RAPP/Centre for Families Work and Well-Being/Vanier Institute/CHRC
Benefits to Employers employees who are caregivers the workplace morale, retention, talent management the labour force the healthcare system the economy overall Canadian society the world Source: RAPP/Centre for Families Work and Well-Being/Vanier Institute/CHRC
EI Changes & Family Status Accommodation See Handouts Up to 18 months leaves for parental caregiving New programs Ontario and Federal leaves of absence Others follow All jurisdictions have family status accommodation in some form Two lines of cases - Ontario and B.C. Latest cases
Implementing Caregiver Programs FLEXIBILITY FIRST WHEREVER POSSIBLE ACCOMMODATION AFTER WHEREVER NECESSARY
Creating a Formal Caregiving Program Research & Buy-in Create Goals & Metrics Select Program Types & Support Select Tools There are 6 core elements to creating a Formal Caregiving Program Assign Ownership Measure
Creating a Formal Caregiving Program Research & Buy-in Create Goals & Metrics Select Program Types & Support Select Tools Assign Ownership Measure
Creating a Formal Caregiving Program Research & Buy-in Create Goals & Metrics Select Program Types & Support Select Tools Assign Ownership Success Metrics important Baseline employees/demographics Formal guidelines policy (legal) Measure days off/time off Impact on productivity Performance ratings Retention Other? Measure
Creating a Formal Caregiving Program Research & Buy-in Create Goals & Metrics Select Program Types & Support Select Tools Assign Ownership Measure
Creating a Formal Caregiving Program Research & Buy-in Create Goals & Metrics Select Program Types & Support Select Tools Assign Ownership Don t forget the caregiver EFAP programs, resources Support groups internal? Not just the time off or flexibility Guides Go-to for questions? HR? Other? Measure
Creating a Formal Caregiving Program Research & Buy-in Create Goals & Metrics Select Program Types & Support Select Tools Assign Ownership Who is Sponsor? Who owns? HR? Business? Methodology for Policy Framework HR Portal? Measure
Creating a Formal Caregiving Program Research & Buy-in Create Goals & Metrics Select Program Types & Support Select Tools Assign Ownership Back to Metrics! Quantitative/Qualitative Cost Analysis Retention Best Employer Designation Other? Measure
Implementing Caregiver Programs Creativity Mutual Respect Support Flexibility
Outcomes of Caregiving Programs Attract, retain and engage high performers Support employees through difficult times, enhancing morale Foster a supportive and flexible environment Ease the transition to return to work Strengthen corporate competitive advantage Create inclusion Promote diversity and cultural thought and style
Handouts EI Changes Family Status Accommodation Tips List of Resources
Great Resources/Organizations CHRC, OHRC, other provincial/territorial human rights
Thank you for sharing your time with me! hp.lifeworkswell@gmail.com @HMPatterson19