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Hidden Truths Series: #5 – The Workplace Needlessly Increases the Caregiving Burden

  • Writer: Mark Fukae
    Mark Fukae
  • Jun 15
  • 4 min read
A vibrant graphic on a blue-green background for the "Hidden Truths" series. On the left, an illustration of a man with a beard holds a glowing lightbulb, suggesting insight or an idea. On the right, a large yellow circle contains the title: "Hidden Truths: The Workplace Needlessly Increases the Caregiving Burden." Below, a compelling quote in white text reads: "Caregivers are treated as an invisible class and an invisible workforce." The Professionals Who Care logo is visible in the bottom right corner.
Hidden Truths #5: The Workplace Needlessly Increases the Caregiving Burden

By Mark Fukae, Director of Advocacy for Professionals Who Care


A Series by Professionals Who Care: Hidden Truths #5 of 12


The Silent Struggle: When Work Adds to Caregiving's Weight


In our previous "Hidden Truths" entries, we've explored the profound and often isolating realities of being a caregiver. Today, we're zooming in on a particularly insidious aspect: how the very structure and expectations of the modern workplace needlessly intensify the already heavy load carried by employed caregivers.


For me, juggling my professional responsibilities with the round-the-clock needs of my 93-year-old mother, whose end-stage dementia means her memory can regress to mere seconds, highlights this clash daily. The traditional demands of work often feel at odds with the unpredictable, all-encompassing nature of care. It's a bilateral dilemma amplified by workplace inflexibility.


The Outdated "Ideal Worker" Model


At the core of this issue is the pervasive concept of the so-called "ideal worker" – an outdated model for work policies that demand in-person presence, standard hours, and uninterrupted schedules. This model operates under the false assumption that employees have no significant care responsibilities, or that those responsibilities can simply be compartmentalized outside of work hours. Caregivers, inherently dealing with unpredictable needs and fluctuating demands, have significant difficulty conforming to the norms of this outdated model. Working under such inflexible and unsupportive conditions further increases the burden this group experiences, forcing impossible choices and perpetual stress.


The Invisible Workforce: Caregivers Undermined


While employers have made positive inroads in recognizing and mitigating the stress caused by discrimination related to identities such as race, nationality, gender, or sexual identity, caregivers are largely treated as an invisible class and an invisible workforce. Their contributions to both the economy and the well-being of society are immense, yet their specific needs and the challenges they face due to their caregiving role often go unrecognized or are actively disregarded. This lack of acknowledgment contributes significantly to their isolation and compounds their burden within the workplace.


The Difficulty for Caregivers in Finding "a Better Job"


For employed caregivers experiencing workplace discrimination or simply an unsupportive environment, the idea of finding "a better job" often presents an overwhelming and nearly insurmountable obstacle. The financial distress already present, coupled with the real fear of workplace discrimination and the lack of comprehensive protections, can escalate to a crisis mentality for the caregiver.


Furthermore, if an employed caregiver is experiencing discrimination in the workplace, it is incredibly difficult to be hired at another job with caregiving-friendly benefits immediately offered. Essential benefits such as:

  • Medical insurance benefits

  • Sick leave

  • Flex time

  • Remote work

  • Schedule exchanges

  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits (which are typically available only after the first year of employment at a new company)


This delay in benefits can leave employees unprotected if they acquire a new job. A lack of protection is especially scary with the critical responsibilities and uncertainties that come with caregiving. This obstacle creates unbalanced power dynamics in their current jobs and leaves employed caregivers vulnerable, powerless, and unprotected to the treatment they might receive. They are essentially trapped, sacrificing their well-being for the sake of their loved ones and facing increased stress from their workplaces.


Your Voice Matters


The burdens faced by employed caregivers are not inevitable; they are, in large part, a result of outdated workplace models and a lack of systemic support. Recognizing these "hidden truths" is the first step toward advocating for a world where caregivers are seen, valued, and supported, rather than needlessly burdened by their workplaces.


Crucially, solutions exist. In my work on the Colorado and Federal CARE (Caregiver Accommodations & Rights Expansion Act) proposals, I've directly addressed all of these pressing issues faced by caregivers – from the lack of protections and flexible benefits to the need for a truly supportive workplace environment. These comprehensive proposals offer a path forward, transforming burden into breakthrough.


Take Action Now: Be Part of the Solution


Understanding these hidden truths is powerful, but action creates change. Here's how you can join the movement to support employed caregivers and help enact real solutions:


Resources for Workplace Increasing the Burden

  1. Bittman, M., Hill, T., & Thomson, C. (2007). The impact of caring on informal carers' employment, income and earnings: A longitudinal approach. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 42(2), 255–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2007.tb00053.x

  2. Meyer, K., Rath, L., Gassoumis, Z., Kaiser, N., & Wilber, K. (2019). What Are Strategies to Advance Policies Supporting Family Caregivers? Promising Approaches From a Statewide Task Force. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 31(1), 66–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2018.1485395

  3. O’Connor, L. T., & Cech, E. A. (2018). Not Just a Mothers’ Problem: The Consequences of Perceived Workplace Flexibility Bias for All Workers. Sociological Perspectives, 61(5), 808–829. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731121418768235

  4. Porter, E. (2019, August 29). Why aren't more women working? they're caring for parents. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/29/business/economy/labor-family-care.html

  5. Reinhard, S. C., & Horwitz, A. V. (1995). Caregiver burden: Differentiating the content and consequences of family caregiving. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 741-750. (Please note: This citation appears to be incomplete. You may wish to update it with full details or a direct link if available for consistent access.)

 
 
 

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