[Report] Balancing Work and Care

Caregivers who are employed are called employee caregivers, also referred to as working caregivers.

This paper uses a reflective methodology to enhance the understanding, application and mobilization of evidence and knowledge toward action. The adaptive knowledge translation approach involves a process of continuous learning based on research evidence, storytelling, lived experiences and catalyst conversations. The personal perspective of those with lived experiences enables a deeper understanding of how to support the development of flexible, caregiver friendly workplaces.

The construct for the paper focuses on the findings and experiences of caregivers who are working while managing their unpaid caregiving responsibilities. It synthesizes the key findings from national and international research conducted under the direction of the primary investigator, Dr. Allison Williams, Professor at McMaster University. The report highlights the work arising from the CIHR/ SSHRC Healthy Productive Work Partnership Grant, Mobilizing a Caregiver Friendly Workplace Standard: A Partnership Approach.

Through Carers Canada, the CHCA led the knowledge translation (KT) process for the grant over a four-year period beginning in 2018. In the fourth and final year of the KT work, the CHCA developed and launched a strategic awareness campaign based on the lived experiences of employee caregivers. The campaign leveraged National Caregiver Day, themed “Balancing Work & Care,” to amplify the messages.

In addition to featuring over 30 caregiver stories and employer testimonials, two catalyst conversations were held on April 5, 2022, to engage experts in a discussion about opportunities, challenges, and future strategies to support working caregivers.

The report also draws upon the findings related to caregiver friendly workplaces from the 2021 Global State of Caring report. Recognizing the global effort toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) and the impact caregivers have on numerous goals in the quest to “achieve a better and more sustainable future for all,” the report flags the goals in which working caregivers can be situated.

While this report focuses on employee caregivers, we acknowledge the full scope of caregivers’ priorities, including recognition, minimizing financial burden, safeguarding caregiver health and well-being, and access to information and supports for caregivers of all ages.

Read full report below