A caregiver is someone who looks after a loved one (parent, child, spouse, or other person) who is ill, elderly, or disabled. Caregivers are neither healthcare professionals nor volunteers. They provide daily assistance to their loved ones who are facing a loss of independence. A caregiver is distinct from a family caregiver, who does not necessarily have a family relationship with the person they are caring for. In addition to their status as caregivers, some also work in companies; these are employee caregivers. It is important not to confuse this with the status of paid family caregiver. In this case, the caregiver is paid by the person they are caring for.
Employees who are caregivers: stress, exhaustion, isolation
In France, 11 million people are family caregivers, and this number is increasing every year. Half of them, or around 5.5 million people, are also employed by companies. It is estimated that by 2030, one in four workers will be a caregiver. Employees who are family caregivers must therefore combine their caregiving role with their work.
The caregiver barometer, produced by the April Foundation, highlighted the difficulties faced by these employees. Due to their dual status, these individuals face constant stress and physical and psychological exhaustion. Fifty-four percent of employee caregivers say they are exhausted, and 49% say they are stressed. They may also experience sleep disorders and eating disorders. They also report feeling isolated and lonely.
Employees who are caregivers: impact on professional life
At work, constant stress and fatigue affect concentration and motivation, which can lead to feelings of inefficiency on the job.
To support their loved ones, caregivers may be forced to take time off work more regularly. This situation can lead to a feeling of being unable to progress professionally within the company. Indeed, it is difficult to be entrusted with new tasks and responsibilities when you are absent more regularly.
Furthermore, according to Ocirp, 49% of employees who are caregivers believe they could lose their jobs. Again, this fear will have an impact on morale and anxiety.
A status that remains taboo and misunderstood
In the workplace, some people are afraid to speak up and explain their situation. According to Ocirp, only 26% of employees who are caregivers have informed their employer of their situation. Many fear the image they might project: they are afraid of appearing to be a burden or inefficient at work. As a result, colleagues and managers may be confused by repeated absences.
The status of caregiver is also still little known. This is true not only among the general population, but also among caregivers themselves. In fact, more than one-third of them have never heard of this status.
Supporting employees who are caregivers: existing measures
The role of the caregiver is recognized by law. As such, the person benefits from certain measures in the workplace.
The right to respite
Since 2016, family caregivers have been entitled to respite care under the law on adapting society to aging. The aim is to give caregivers time to rest. This entitlement is accompanied by financial assistance to enable the family member to be cared for in a center.
Caregiver leave
Since 2017, caregiver leave has replaced family support leave. This leave allows employees, under certain conditions, to temporarily stop working in order to care for a loved one. In the absence of contractual provisions, the maximum duration of leave is three months. Employers cannot refuse to grant this leave. The employer does not pay for the leave, but the employee may receive a daily caregiver allowance.
Find out more: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16920
Family solidarity leave
This leave allows employees to care for a loved one who is terminally ill. It lasts for a maximum of three months and can be renewed once. During this period, the caregiver is eligible to receive a daily terminal care allowance. Here too, employers cannot refuse to grant this leave.
Find out more: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1767
Donating vacation days
It is also possible for employees to donate part of their vacation time to their colleague who is a caregiver. The caregiver is then paid during their absence.
How can the company take action?
The number of employees who are caregivers is increasing every year, so it is essential for companies to take these individuals and their situations into account. Measures can be put in place to bring more peace of mind to their daily working lives and thus improve their quality of life at work.
Observe, listen, and engage in conversation
As a business leader or manager, you can learn to identify the signs that something is going on with your employee. Fatigue, isolation, lack of concentration, irritability... Observe your employees' behavior. If you notice a change in attitude, it is likely that the person is facing difficulties. In this case, engage in dialogue and listen. Through dialogue, solutions can be put in place, such as flexible working hours or teleworking. It is also essential to make employees who are caregivers aware of the existing measures.
Leveraging acquired skills
Caregivers inevitably acquire skills while assisting their loved ones, some of which can be real assets in the workplace. These include organizational skills, decision-making, responsibility, listening, and resilience. Employers can leverage these skills in the professional life of their employees.
Offer professional listening and support
It is important to communicate with colleagues. However, when a person's daily life is affected, support from healthcare professionals will help them regain balance and take a step back.
At Pros-Consulte, we help companies support their employees who are caregivers. Caregivers can call a psychologist anonymously, 24/7, via a dedicated toll-free number. Employees are listened to, supported, and advised on their situation.
We also work with companies by organizing discussion groups for employees who are caregivers. The aim is to enable them to talk freely about their feelings and combat isolation.
Raising team awareness
The topic of family caregivers is starting to get more attention, but it's still not well known among the general public. People who aren't involved in caring for a loved one often have little or no information about it. So, it's important to raise awareness among all employees to avoid misunderstandings and promote a more peaceful work environment.
Our videoconference "Taking care of yourself as a caregiver" is aimed at caregivers as well as managers, HR professionals, and colleagues. For caregivers, the videoconference has several objectives: discovering how to find a work-life balance, learning how to take care of yourself, and knowing who to turn to in case of difficulties. For other employees, it will help them understand how to accompany and support the person.
Train managers
As a manager, it is not always easy to know how to act and react when faced with an employee in difficulty. Pros-Consulte supports managers through our training course "Managers: how to support a family caregiver in your team." Over the course of a day, either in person or remotely, managers will learn about the measures available and the regulatory framework concerning employees who are caregivers. They will also discover listening techniques and how to best promote work-life balance.
Sources:
Strategy.gov.fr
