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Over half of the UK’s employees (51 per cent) report that their career progression has been influenced by the need to care for their family’s health across various generations.
Millennials, a key demographic in the workforce, report significant career disruptions, with 40 per cent of 25 to 44-year-olds saying their career has suffered from taking on care responsibilities for parents, grandparents, siblings and children. Among these, women are particularly feeling the impact, as 35 per cent believe their career growth has been hindered by such responsibilities.
These findings form part of new research from the Bupa Wellbeing Index which uncovers the state of the nation’s health and wellbeing.
Are millennials’ important to the workforce?
These statistics present a challenge for businesses, considering millennials’ are now one of the core workforce demographics.
Carlos Jaureguizar CEO for Bupa Global, India & UK, says: “Millennials are a core workforce demographic and vital to the UK economy, they are experienced in the workplace and have years to grow their careers.
“Employers therefore have an important role to play in understanding the pressures this demographic is facing and looking for ways to support their staff so they can thrive in the workplace and succeed in their career.
Time spent at work
Life in the workplace is also being impacted, with 14 per cent of employees reporting that caregiving duties hinder their concentration at work. Among millennials, this percentage increases to 18 per cent, indicating that domestic responsibilities may have a substantial impact on their work efficiency and their contribution to the wider team.
Nearly half of employees (45 per cent) have reported sleep loss caused by worrying over their family members’ health and wellbeing, having a follow-on impact on performance within the workplace.
Taking time off work
Family caregiving is having a direct impact on the UK workforce as employees are taking time off to look after their loved ones. On average, millennial employees reported missing six days of work annually, utilising either sick leave or unpaid leave for caregiving purposes. Additionally, millennials allocate six days of their yearly holiday allowance to look after family members.
Additionally, 14 per cent of respondents, or one in seven, have been absent from work-related social functions due to caregiving duties, a number that increases to 20 per cent among millennials. This means the impact of caregiving extends beyond workplace productivity, as the social and networking opportunities essential for career development are also affected.
How businesses can help
Supporting employees beyond the workplace is crucial for businesses. Employers must explore avenues to bolster their teams, especially by equipping them with resources and advice to handle personal caregiving duties and sustain their wellbeing, a concern for 68 per cent of the workforce. Additionally, this is closely followed by offering private healthcare benefits for employees and their families which is valued by 58 per cent of workers.
When looking for a new job, the index shows organisations that support caregivers in multigenerational families score highly. Flexible working options are sought after by nearly one-third (31 per cent) of job seekers to manage their professional and caregiving duties more effectively. Additionally, private healthcare (20 per cent) and private medical insurance (20 per cent) are also important factors when considering new employment opportunities.
If you would like to learn more about how you can support caregivers in your workforce, visit the Bupa workplace wellbeing hub where you can find practical guidance and resources on helping your multigenerational workforce thrive.