Balancing the responsibilities of caregiving and full-time employment can be beyond what anyone person is able to maintain. Whether caring for aging parents, a child with special needs, a partner or family member with chronic illness or a disability, or a friend or neighbor, caregivers should be supported in the workplace. The work-life balance of a caregiver can become so uncontrollable it feels like being in the middle of a cyclone.
The addition of caregiving responsibilities to full-time employment requires proactive planning, open communication, and realistic self-expectations. There are several strategies to help caregivers stay productive at work while also providing quality care to their loved one. No single strategy works for everyone, but combining some suggestions such as organizing effectively, seeking support, leveraging workplace flexibility, and looking after your own well-being, can help you make both roles more sustainable.
Supporting coworkers who are caregivers can make a significant difference in their ability to juggle work and personal responsibilities. Here are several ways you can offer support:
1. Listen and Show Empathy
If someone shares that they are a caregiver, show genuine interest in how they are coping. Avoid quick judgments or advice. Don’t ask questions for curiosity’s sake; let them know that you care and are there for them. Then, do not be the office gossip by sharing their story.
2. Be Flexible
If you’re working on a project together, be open to scheduling meetings at times convenient for them or allowing them to attend remotely.
3. Have Their Back
Take notes during a meeting they miss, gather information on their behalf, anything that can lighten their load.
4. Encourage a Supportive Work Culture
Advocate for broader acceptance of flexible hours or remote work options within the company.
5. Stay Alert to Signs of Overwhelm
When you notice a coworker who seems particularly stressed or fatigued, ask how they’re managing and whether there’s anything you can do. Saying, “Hey, I’m available if you need to talk or if you need an extra hand with this project” can give them permission to lean on you without feeling like a burden.
6. Encourage Breaks and Self-Care
Remind your coworker (and your team at large) of the importance of stepping away from work, even for five or ten minutes, to recharge. When you take a break, you show that it’s acceptable to pause and prioritize well-being, which is something especially vital for caregivers.
7. Chocolate
Never, ever underestimate the power of chocolate! Leaving a decadent chocolate truffle on someone’s desk could be absolutely lifesaving. For a truly special sentiment, a bouquet of flowers with that chocolate should lift anyone’s spirits.
Being supportive of caregiving coworkers involves empathy, flexibility, and practical assistance. By fostering a culture where personal responsibilities are recognized as legitimate and important, you help create a workplace where coworkers feel valued, understood, and empowered to fulfill both their professional and caregiving roles.
Sandra Sharp works for the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as the State as a Model Employer (SAME) Development Specialist. She has worked in state government for over ten years, including working for the Colorado Department of Corrections as a teacher. She has recently served as Board Member for the Denver Metro Cultural Committee and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Denver. Sandra has the heart of a Public Servant.
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