Caregiving Duties Call for Work Schedule Adjustments

November 19, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A new survey from LifeCare, Inc. indicates caregiving duties interrupt the workday or require work schedule adjustments.

According to a press release, the survey found 24% of workers surveyed who care for a child or elder said they often have to make phone calls/arrangements during the work day. Twenty-two percent said they often have to leave work early, while 16% reported having to take the day off to tend to caregiving duties.

Arriving at work late was an adjustment to the work schedule created by caregiving cited by 14% of respondents. Five percent said they have to ask their spouses to adjust their work schedules at times.

Nineteen percent of respondents chose the “other” category of work schedule adjustments, which LifeCare said included changing from full-time work to part-time work, changing work shifts, waking up earlier, and leaving work at lunch.

“Obviously, people who care for children and older adults are going to need to make adjustments to their work schedules from time to time,” said LifeCare CEO, Peter G. Burki, in the release. “But employers can reduce their absenteeism and productivity losses by providing employees with support tools such as resource and referral services and backup care programs.”

A campaign to help employees with the balance of work and caregiving has been announced by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (See Campaign Launched to Help Employees Balance Work and Caregiving ).

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