Caregiving Under the Microscope: A Story of Culture, Compassion, and Colorado Business Success
- Mark Fukae
- Jun 7
- 8 min read
By Mark Fukae, Director of Advocacy for Professionals Who Care
A Series by Professionals Who Care: Caregiving Under the Microscope
Hello, and welcome! I’m the Director of Advocacy for Professionals Who Care (PWC), a 501(c)(3) dedicated to championing working caregivers. I’m also a deeply concerned Colorado citizen, actively advocating for the Colorado CARE Act through my personal initiative, Caregiver Advocacy and Support Initiative (CASI).
In this series, "Caregiving Under the Microscope," we're going to zoom in on an issue that impacts millions of Americans and billions of dollars in our economy: caregiving. When we talk about policies, statistics, and legislation, it’s easy to lose sight of the real, tangible impact on people and businesses. We hear big numbers – $8 billion in uncompensated care in Colorado annually, or billions in lost productivity for businesses nationwide – and while these are crucial for driving policy, what does it actually mean on the ground?
Today, I want to invite you to look through a different lens. Instead of abstract data, let’s immerse ourselves in the everyday lives of Colorado businesses, from the smallest to the largest. What does it truly look like when a workplace embraces support for its caregiving employees? And how does a thoughtful piece of legislation like the Colorado CARE Act promise to transform business culture, not just for compliance, but for genuine, strategic advantage?
Let’s step into the lives of three very different Colorado businesses and see how the spirit—and the substance—of the CARE Act could play out.
Scene 1: The Corner Nook Coffee Shop (A Micro-Business)
Characters:
Maya: Owner of The Corner Nook, a cozy coffee shop in Denver, with only 4 employees. She's passionate about coffee and her small, tight-knit team.
Leo: Maya’s barista, a cheerful 20-something who's also the primary caregiver for his younger sister with a chronic illness.
The Story: It’s 6 AM. The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills The Corner Nook. Leo, usually the first one in, is late. Maya’s heart sinks a little—he’s reliable, and she knows his sister had a rough week. When Leo finally arrives, a little stressed, he apologizes profusely. “My sister had an emergency this morning. I had to wait for the home nurse. I’m so sorry, Maya.”
Under the proposed Colorado CARE Act, businesses with fewer than 15 employees, like The Corner Nook, are not mandated to provide formal accommodations. This is a crucial design choice, acknowledging the unique challenges of micro-businesses. But Maya had recently read an article, perhaps even one from PWC, about the "hidden costs" of losing good employees. She realized that while no law required her to act, her business needed her to. She understood that losing Leo, who was great with customers and knew her quirky espresso machine inside and out, would be far more costly than a little flexibility.
Maya smiled reassuringly at Leo. “Leo, your sister is family. We can cover for an hour, no problem. What can we do to make things a little easier for you this week? Maybe we can shift your Saturday closing shift earlier, or swap it if you need?”
Leo’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Really, Maya? That would be huge.”
Maya didn't have a formal HR department or a legal mandate, but she had empathy and a keen business sense. She fostered loyalty and ensured her tiny team remained productive and happy. She’d later look into the small business support resources PWC recommended, just to be proactive and ensure she was doing all she could for her valuable employees.
Scene 2: Rocky Mountain Gears (A Small Business)
Characters:
Sarah: HR Manager at Rocky Mountain Gears, a manufacturing firm with 25 employees that makes specialized outdoor equipment.
David: A highly skilled production lead, critical to their assembly line.
Mr. Henderson: Owner and CEO of Rocky Mountain Gears, focused on efficiency and employee retention.
The Story: David, a 15-year veteran at Rocky Mountain Gears, approached Sarah’s office looking visibly worried. His mother, who lives with him, had just received a difficult Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He was overwhelmed, needing to attend numerous appointments, understand care options, and be present during difficult periods. He feared he’d have to take extended, unpaid leave or even quit.
Sarah, as the HR Manager, felt the weight of this. Losing David would be devastating. His expertise was irreplaceable in the short term, and the cost of finding and training a replacement would be immense. But how could a small business like theirs manage such an unpredictable need?
This is precisely where the Colorado CARE Act steps in for businesses with 15 or more employees. Sarah had recently attended a workshop detailing the Act's provisions. She knew it mandated that businesses of their size engage in an "interactive process"—a crucial, good-faith dialogue between employer and employee—to identify feasible accommodations.
Sarah opened her laptop and accessed the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s new online portal, a resource established directly by the CARE Act and funded by the Family Caregiver Support Fund. She found templates for initiating the interactive process, case studies, and a direct line to a specialist who could offer personalized guidance.
“David,” Sarah began, “we value you immensely. Let’s talk about what ‘reasonable accommodation’ looks like for you. The CARE Act provides us with a clear framework for this, and importantly, it also works hand-in-hand with Colorado’s existing FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance) program.”
Over the next few weeks, Sarah, with David and Mr. Henderson, brainstormed solutions. They leveraged the FAMLI program so David could take intermittent, paid leave for doctor’s appointments without losing his entire paycheck. They adjusted his shift start time a few days a week to accommodate care duties, and cross-trained a junior employee to cover some of David’s tasks when he was out. Sarah even explored a small grant (up to $5,000) from the state fund to help David with some in-home care technology that would ease his burden and allow him to focus more at work.
Mr. Henderson saw the direct benefit. "We didn't just save a fantastic employee," he told Sarah, "we showed everyone else on the floor that we stand by our people. That’s worth more than any lost production time." The CARE Act didn’t just demand compliance; it gave Sarah the tools and the confidence to find creative, win-win solutions, solidifying the company’s reputation as a supportive employer.
Scene 3: Apex Innovations (A Large Business)
Characters:
Maria: Head of HR at Apex Innovations, a sprawling tech company in Boulder with 500+ employees, always on the hunt for top engineering talent.
Ethan: A brilliant software engineer, also caring for his teenage son with a complex medical condition.
Carlos: Talent Acquisition Manager, constantly trying to differentiate Apex in a competitive market.
The Story: Apex Innovations had always prided itself on being a modern, employee-centric company, with great benefits. But even with their progressive policies, Maria knew they were losing out on some top talent and experiencing hidden productivity drains from stressed caregivers. Their internal surveys showed that while they offered flexibility, many employees still felt guilty taking advantage of it. And the threat of "Family Responsibilities Discrimination" (FRD) lawsuits, which Maria tracked closely (eldercare-related FRD cases have surged 650%!), was a growing concern for companies of their size.
When the Colorado CARE Act was passed, Maria didn't see it as another compliance burden. For Apex, a business with over 50 employees, the Act provided a clear, consistent framework. This means they could standardize their approach to caregiver accommodations across all departments, ensuring fairness and reducing legal risk.
Maria immediately briefed her team. "The CARE Act gives us a clear mandate to formalize what we’ve always aimed to do," she explained. "It's about building a truly inclusive culture, not just checking a box."
They launched a "Caregiver Champion" program, leveraging the Act’s guidelines to train managers on the "interactive process" and unconscious bias. They formalized their flexible work arrangements, created a dedicated Caregiver Employee Resource Group (ERG) with executive sponsorship, and, crucially, began exploring the state tax credits available for employers who implemented qualifying caregiver support programs above and beyond the basic requirements of the Act.
Ethan, the software engineer, felt the difference immediately. His son had a sudden medical flare-up. Instead of navigating an ad-hoc system, Ethan simply followed clear company protocol. His manager was supportive, knowing the company had a robust framework. Ethan could leverage Apex's generous paid family leave, knowing his job was secure and his team understood. He returned to work focused and grateful, his productivity unimpeded.
Carlos, in Talent Acquisition, now had a powerful new selling point. "We don't just offer great tech; we offer genuine support," he’d tell candidates. "Our commitment to caregivers, reinforced by the Colorado CARE Act, means you can build a fulfilling career and be there for your family." Apex's recruitment success soared, and their retention rates climbed higher. The Act wasn't a cost; it was a strategic investment, yielding massive ROI in talent, morale, and brand reputation.
The Colorado CARE Act: A Strategic Imperative for All
From Maya’s empathetic coffee shop to Rocky Mountain Gears’ pragmatic efficiency and Apex Innovations’ competitive edge, the Colorado CARE Act isn't just about protecting employees; it's about strengthening Colorado's entire business ecosystem. It’s about building a culture where adaptability is a competitive advantage and empathy drives the bottom line.
To our incredible HR professionals: you are at the heart of this transformation. This Act empowers you to become true strategic partners, transforming workplaces into places where professional excellence and personal responsibility can coexist, leading to success for all.
To business leaders of all sizes: look at the numbers. Look at the culture. The cost of not supporting caregivers is far greater than the cost of implementing thoughtful, impactful policies. Join PWC in understanding the #FutureOfWork, and support CASI’s mission to make Colorado a national leader in caregiver advocacy.
Your Voice Matters: Be Part of the Solution
The "Caregiving Under the Microscope" series illuminates critical societal shifts that have profoundly impacted caregivers. But understanding the problem is only the first step. Now, it's time to act. Your engagement, your story, and your advocacy are crucial to driving the change employed caregivers so desperately need.
Here's how you can be part of the solution and help us build a more supportive and inclusive future for caregivers:
Engage with Professionals Who Care: Our latest "Caregiving Under the Microscope" post is published right here on the Professionals Who Care website, serving as the central hub for our advocacy. Connect with our community of caregivers and allies. Share your story (anonymously if preferred, we respect your privacy!), find invaluable resources and support, and learn how you can advocate for a more inclusive workplace that truly understands the #FutureOfWork.
Visit Professionals Who Care: [Professionals Who Care]
Connect on LinkedIn: [linkedin]
Support the Colorado CARE Act: As a Colorado resident, your voice has direct power in our state. While our dedicated website for the Colorado CARE Act is coming soon, you can make an immediate impact. Sign and share our petition on Change.org to urge legislators to support this crucial legislation. The Colorado CARE Act will provide vital protections, accommodations, and support for family caregivers in the workplace, ensuring they don't have to choose between their loved ones and their livelihoods. Your voice can make a definitive difference in ensuring its passage through the Colorado General Assembly in the upcoming session.
Sign and share the petition: [Empower Working Caregivers: Enact Federal & Colorado CARE Act to Amedn ADA & CADA]
Join CASI (Caregiver Advocacy and Support Initiative): If you're a concerned Colorado citizen, become a member of CASI and add your voice to our growing movement right here in our state. Together, we can amplify our advocacy efforts, mobilize local support, and push for meaningful, Colorado-specific change.
Advocate for the Federal CARE Act: The challenges facing caregivers are not unique to Colorado; they are a national imperative. We are actively advocating for a Federal CARE Act, modeled after the comprehensive Colorado legislation, to create nationwide protections by amending Article 42 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your support for this broader effort is essential.
Spread Awareness: The "Caregiving Under the Microscope" campaign is designed to bring critical issues out of the shadows and into the light. Share this blog post and other content from our series with your network, friends, family, and colleagues. Help us educate, inspire, and mobilize a broader community to demand change.
The Colorado CARE Act, alongside the proposed Federal CARE Act, offers a tangible path towards a more just, equitable, and economically resilient society for working caregivers and for all of us who depend on them. Let's seize this opportunity to care for those who care for others.
Kindly,
Mark Fukae Director of Advocacy | Professionals Who Care
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