Workplaces are changing. The global pandemic, emerging technologies, social and economic trends are changing the way we live and work. Working from home, taking on increased care responsibilities and navigating shifting routines has posed new challenges for employers and their employees.

The time to act is NOW.

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EVIDENCE BLOG

Comments and Analysis on Key Issues Impacting Working Caregivers

A series of short summaries on the landmark research initiative “Mobilizing a Caregiver-Friendly Workplace Standard: A Partnership Approach” funded by CIHR/SSHRC Healthy Productive Work Partnership Grant.

VISIT

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caregivers in Canada

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employees are juggling work and care

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employee caregivers reduced their work hours

1610900

employee caregivers took a leave from work

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employee caregivers quit their jobs to provide care

Creating supportive workplace environments

For the full discussion on supporting working caregivers (1hr)

See a clip on the experience at Wood Canada (43sec)

Solutions

Become a caregiver friendly employer

BUILD A BUSINESS CASE

Resources justifying why supporting caregivers at work makes good business sense.

Infographic

Key Facts and Figures

Why Foster a Carer-Friendly Workplace

CREATE A PLAN

Easy steps to start your caregiver inclusive and accommodating program.

Caregiver Friendly Implementation Guide

4 Easy Steps for HR Managers

INCREASE AWARENESS AND TAKE ACTION

Toolkits to help organizations support Employee Caregivers

Alberta Work and Care Portal

Canadian Compassionate Companies Designation

Family Caregivers of BC

Ontario Guide for Employers: Building a resilient and sustainable workforce

The Compassionate Workplace Campaign

ADOPT BEST PRACTICES

A standard from CSA Group detailing organizational best practice and gender-specific accommodations.

B701-17 – Carer-inclusive and accommodating organizations

B701HB-18 – Helping worker-carers in your organization

READ THE RESEARCH EVIDENCE

Research evidence on the effectiveness of employee caregiver friendly workplaces.

Gender, Health and Carer-Friendly Workplaces, McMaster University

BUILD A BUSINESS CASE

Resources justifying why supporting caregivers at work makes good business sense.

Infographic

Key Facts and Figures

Why Foster a Carer-Friendly Workplace

CREATE A PLAN

Easy steps to start your caregiver inclusive and accommodating program.

Caregiver Friendly Implementation Guide

4 Easy Steps for HR Managers

INCREASE AWARENESS & TAKE ACTION

Toolkits to help organizations support Employee Caregivers

Alberta Work and Care Portal

Canadian Compassionate Companies Designation

Family Caregivers of BC

Ontario Guide for Employers: Building a resilient and sustainable workforce

The Compassionate Workplace Campaign

ADOPT BEST PRACTICES

A standard from CSA Group detailing organizational best practice and gender-specific accommodations.

B701-17 – Carer-inclusive and accommodating organizations

B701HB-18 – Helping worker-carers in your organization

READ THE RESEARCH EVIDENCE

Research evidence on the effectiveness of employee caregiver friendly workplaces.

Gender, Health and Carer-Friendly Workplaces, McMaster University

Supporting caregivers at work makes good business sense

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“Every time he lost another ability, the grieving process would start over. Coupled with this emotional strain, I was dealing with the physical strain of caregiving. I began working less and neglecting my health and my severe abdominal pain.”
Susan R., caring for her husband

“The benefits of caregiving policies trump costs: workers are more motivated, more productive, and have higher morale.”
TimesUpFoundation.org

“Start small, start by having conversations with employees and helping caregiver colleagues connect with each other. Once people start talking about it, things will evolve.”
Nancy Lefebre, Chief Clinical Executive & SVP Knowledge and Practice at SE Health

“Supporting our staff is the socially responsible change we want to see as a new standard for all employers in Canada.”
Connie Clerici, President/CEO Closing The Gap Healthcare Group

“The biggest challenge with caregiving has been trying to maintain a work/life balance. Maintaining a job while caring for your parents and family can be a real struggle. I sometimes feel isolated and overwhelmed with tasks I was confronted with. Respite was a big help for me and would give me an opportunity for self-care for a moment.”
Dawn, caring for her mother and father

“Employees thrive when given the support they need to do their jobs well.”
Brian Lamb, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at JPMorgan Chase

“My mother had to leave her job due to the amount of time off she was taking to care for my brother and my father was also taking significant time off work as well. When I was in high school, I was staying home from school for weeks on end to help with my brother Dylan.”
Jeremy Roberts, MPP Ottawa West-Nepean, caring for his brother

Carers Canada is leading the knowledge mobilization activities for a multi-sectorial research program to spread and scale a carer-friendly workplace standard, known as the ‘Carer-Inclusive and Accommodating Organizations’ Standard (CSAB701-17). Led by Dr. Allison Williams, CIHR Research Chair in Gender, Work and Health at McMaster University, the research program consists of six inter-related sub-projects that will: increase awareness of the standard across Canada and evaluate readiness to change; determine feasibility and cost benefit; embrace cultural competency and indigenous perspectives; and, create an international standard.

CIHR/SSHRC Healthy Productive Work Partnership Grant “Mobilizing a Caregiver-Friendly Workplace Standard: A Partnership Approach ” FRN: HWP – 146001 (CIHR); 890-2016-3018 (SSHRC)