Time to scream it from the rooftops: #CorporateAmerica needs to acknowledge the value & expertise of working caregivers. NOW. #Caregivers are the backbone of our #economy; not delicate flowers about to wilt.
I'm learning so much from the employees and leaders in my caregiving workshops and I'll tell you something right now:
They're doing everything, everywhere, all at once, and they're amazing.
Harvard Business Review last year reported that 73% of the U.S. workforce has caregiving responsibilities outside of work. That's nearly THREE-QUARTERS of our entire workforce.
There are many wonderful companies who prioritize the health and well-being of their employees, but I'm seeing it's not nearly enough.
Too many corporate #managementteams offer lip service, supporting employed caregivers to their faces while making harmful assumptions and judgements behind their backs. This means withholding #promotions, opportunities, #upskilling, etc.
Why? Immediately, my mind goes to American #corporateculture seeing illness and the need to rely on others as #weakness.
Being a working caregiver is anything but. It's a #superpower; one that deserves respect, acknowledgement and rewards. So get over yourself and your preconceived notions of what someone can and cannot do for your organization if they're also a caregiver at home.
Yes, I said it. If you're uncomfortable about the fact that your employee's wife has cancer, or mom has dementia, or child has leukemia... you're the problem.
Too many of my workshop attendees vulnerably attest to their caregiving superpowers being overlooked by prior managers or organizations (hence why they currently work for caregiver-friendly employers).
Here are just a few of the ways caregivers contribute above and beyond because of their responsibilities, not in spite of them:
1) #TimeManagement. As a caregiver, you're juggling doctor's appointments, medication schedules, and daily care tasks. In management, it's meetings, deadlines, and overseeing projects. Same deal, different situations.
2) #Communication and #empathy. Whether it's understanding your loved one's needs or your team members' perspectives, being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes is key. We can read the room better than anyone.
3) #Problemsolving and #adaptability. Whether it's an unexpected health issue or a sudden change in the market, you need to be able to think on your feet and come up with solutions fast. We're professional pivoters.
4) #Leadership. Managers lead their teams, and caregivers lead ours. We work with nurses, doctors, and other care providers to make sure our loved one gets the best care, orchestrating and negotiating it all.
Here's the final word: Learn from your caregivers and let them lead the charge. You'll get where you're going faster by relying on their lived experience versus just a corporate one.
Clinical Network Development Liaison at Tandigm Health
3moBeing a working caregiver is incredibly difficult! The support and flexibility of the company you work for makes a huge difference! I am very fortunate to work for Tandigm Health. They offered benefits and flexibility to work remotely which enabled me to care for my aging patients who live in another state! Beyond grateful 🙏