The Caring Company - Managing the Future of Work - Harvard Business School

<form name="aspnetForm" method="post" action="the-caring-company.aspx?sf97708922=1" id="aspnetForm">
<input type="hidden" name="MSOWebPartPage_PostbackSource" id="MSOWebPartPage_PostbackSource" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_SelectedWpId" id="MSOTlPn_SelectedWpId" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_View" id="MSOTlPn_View" value="0" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_ShowSettings" id="MSOTlPn_ShowSettings" value="False" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOGallery_SelectedLibrary" id="MSOGallery_SelectedLibrary" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOGallery_FilterString" id="MSOGallery_FilterString" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOTlPn_Button" id="MSOTlPn_Button" value="none" />
<input type="hidden" name="__REQUESTDIGEST" id="__REQUESTDIGEST" value="0x058EF1D294F34C98807B1CEAF542DAFA52E69B6CDB43DE1D705F6B41E8E2BC0ECE606E5FD9A76AC5ABC2D6ED0A925895079329D27A33AD6269CCCAD83A11BE71,16 Jul 2019 04:49:17 -0000" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_DisplayModeName" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_DisplayModeName" value="Browse" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_ExitingDesignMode" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_ExitingDesignMode" value="false" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOWebPartPage_Shared" id="MSOWebPartPage_Shared" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOLayout_LayoutChanges" id="MSOLayout_LayoutChanges" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOLayout_InDesignMode" id="MSOLayout_InDesignMode" value="" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_OldDisplayModeName" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_OldDisplayModeName" value="Browse" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_StartWebPartEditingName" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_StartWebPartEditingName" value="false" />
<input type="hidden" name="MSOSPWebPartManager_EndWebPartEditing" id="MSOSPWebPartManager_EndWebPartEditing" value="false" />
<input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATE" id="__VIEWSTATE" value="/wEPDwUBMA9kFgJmD2QWAgIBD2QWBgIBD2QWBAICD2QWAmYPFgIeBFRleHQFSlRoZSBDYXJpbmcgQ29tcGFueSAtIE1hbmFnaW5nIHRoZSBGdXR1cmUgb2YgV29yayAtIEhhcnZhcmQgQnVzaW5lc3MgU2Nob29sZAIDDxYCHwAFWjxtZXRhIG5hbWU9InRpdGxlIiBjb250ZW50PSJUaGUgQ2FyaW5nIENvbXBhbnkiIC8+DQo8bWV0YSBuYW1lPSJkZXNjcmlwdGlvbiIgY29udGVudD0iIiAvPmQCEw8PFgIeB1Zpc2libGVoZGQCFw9kFgICAQ9kFgJmD2QWAgIDD2QWAgIFDw8WBB4GSGVpZ2h0GwAAAAAAAHlAAQAAAB4EXyFTQgKAAWQWAgIBDzwrAAkBAA8WBB4NUGF0aFNlcGFyYXRvcgQIHg1OZXZlckV4cGFuZGVkZ2RkZHXrDEc/VbEeNMYp5R8cRkXd5JwG" />

<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var MSOWebPartPageFormName = 'aspnetForm';
var g_presenceEnabled = true;var _fV4UI=true;var _spPageContextInfo = {webServerRelativeUrl: "\u002fmanaging-the-future-of-work\u002fresearch", webLanguage: 1033, currentLanguage: 1033, webUIVersion:4,pageListId:"{99e5e6bc-f1de-48ca-80b3-a874a0831dd1}",pageItemId:3, alertsEnabled:true, siteServerRelativeUrl: "\u002f", allowSilverlightPrompt:'True'};//]]>
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/1033/init.js?rev=0OHTJmtljdkrRniX3Vao7A%3D%3D"></script>
<script src="/WebResource.axd?d=0BN16XvcGHuJm7w6ynHPQUp2bpfRBguTqcJxAewp5Z6TG9N1ORNkdbc65-xjVZfcc8oQWsz2XPVjWs3sLHPjmveJ1A8CpDbhoiiXlraAxD-GhALjyint8HT53UFez1JzfJIy8Q_LxpJS3G8QmAMxSkzh4vc1&t=636767462854137053" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var dlc_fvsi = {"DefaultViews":[],"ViewUrls":[],"WebUrl":"\/managing-the-future-of-work\/research"};//]]>
</script>

<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
function _spNavigateHierarchy(nodeDiv, dataSourceId, dataPath, url, listInContext, type) {
    CoreInvoke('ProcessDefaultNavigateHierarchy', nodeDiv, dataSourceId, dataPath, url, listInContext, type, document.forms.aspnetForm, "", "\u002fmanaging-the-future-of-work\u002fresearch\u002fPages\u002fthe-caring-company.aspx");

}
//]]>
</script>
<input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" id="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" value="7BAFC84E" />
<script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.core.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002fsp.core.js?rev=7ByNlH\u00252BvcgRJg\u00252BRCctdC0w\u00253D\u00253D");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.res.resx", "\u002f_layouts\u002fScriptResx.ashx?culture=en\u00252Dus\u0026name=SP\u00252ERes\u0026rev=b6\u00252FcRx1a6orhAQ\u00252FcF\u00252B0ytQ\u00253D\u00253D");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.ui.dialog.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002fsp.ui.dialog.js?rev=Tpcmo1\u00252FSu6R0yewHowDl5g\u00253D\u00253D");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.dialog.js", "sp.core.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.ui.dialog.js", "sp.res.resx");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("core.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f1033\u002fcore.js?rev=Emb5hNX1RZMNXk9oS82yvA\u00253D\u00253D");</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var _spFormDigestRefreshInterval = 1440000;window.g_updateFormDigestPageLoaded = new Date(); window.g_updateFormDigestPageLoaded.setDate(window.g_updateFormDigestPageLoaded.getDate() -5);function loadMDN2() { EnsureScript('MDN.js', typeof(loadFilterFn), null); }
function loadMDN1() { ExecuteOrDelayUntilScriptLoaded(loadMDN2, 'sp.ribbon.js'); }
_spBodyOnLoadFunctionNames.push('loadMDN1');//]]>
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.runtime.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002fsp.runtime.js?rev=IGffcZfunndj0247nOxKVg\u00253D\u00253D");RegisterSodDep("sp.runtime.js", "sp.core.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.runtime.js", "sp.res.resx");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002fsp.js?rev=\u00252B4ZEyA892P3T0504qi0paw\u00253D\u00253D");RegisterSodDep("sp.js", "sp.core.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.js", "sp.runtime.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.js", "sp.ui.dialog.js");RegisterSodDep("sp.js", "sp.res.resx");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("cui.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002fcui.js?rev=OOyJv78CADNBeet\u00252FvTvniQ\u00253D\u00253D");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("inplview", "\u002f_layouts\u002finplview.js?rev=WB6Gy8a027aeNCq7koVCUg\u00253D\u00253D");RegisterSodDep("inplview", "core.js");RegisterSodDep("inplview", "sp.js");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("ribbon", "\u002f_layouts\u002fsp.ribbon.js?rev=F\u00252BUEJ66rbXzSvpf7nN69wQ\u00253D\u00253D");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "core.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.core.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "cui.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.res.resx");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "sp.runtime.js");RegisterSodDep("ribbon", "inplview");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("sp.ui.policy.resources.resx", "\u002f_layouts\u002fScriptResx.ashx?culture=en\u00252Dus\u0026name=SP\u00252EUI\u00252EPolicy\u00252EResources\u0026rev=YhBHGmUAGyJ3lAgSdE4V\u00252Fw\u00253D\u00253D");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("mdn.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002fmdn.js?rev=gwmFFJ2\u00252FfFacqXWAqG\u00252FqKg\u00253D\u00253D");RegisterSodDep("mdn.js", "sp.core.js");RegisterSodDep("mdn.js", "sp.runtime.js");RegisterSodDep("mdn.js", "sp.js");RegisterSodDep("mdn.js", "cui.js");RegisterSodDep("mdn.js", "ribbon");RegisterSodDep("mdn.js", "sp.ui.policy.resources.resx");</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[

function _spNavigateHierarchyEx(nodeDiv, dataSourceId, dataPath, url, listInContext, type, additionalQString) {
    SetAdditionalNavigateHierarchyQString(additionalQString);
    g_originalSPNavigateFunc(nodeDiv, dataSourceId, dataPath, url, listInContext, type);
}

g_originalSPNavigateFunc = _spNavigateHierarchy;
_spNavigateHierarchy = _spNavigateHierarchyEx;
var _fV4UI = true;//]]>
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("msstring.js", "\u002f_layouts\u002f1033\u002fmsstring.js?rev=QtiIcPH3HV7LgVSO7vONFg\u00253D\u00253D");</script><script type="text/javascript">RegisterSod("browserScript", "\u002f_layouts\u002f1033\u002fnon_ie.js?rev=EVTj1bu32\u00252FMla6SDN\u00252FsNTA\u00253D\u00253D");</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var __wpmExportWarning='This Web Part Page has been personalized. As a result, one or more Web Part properties may contain confidential information. Make sure the properties contain information that is safe for others to read. After exporting this Web Part, view properties in the Web Part description file (.WebPart) by using a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad.';var __wpmCloseProviderWarning='You are about to close this Web Part.  It is currently providing data to other Web Parts, and these connections will be deleted if this Web Part is closed.  To close this Web Part, click OK.  To keep this Web Part, click Cancel.';var __wpmDeleteWarning='You are about to permanently delete this Web Part.  Are you sure you want to do this?  To delete this Web Part, click OK.  To keep this Web Part, click Cancel.';//]]>
</script>
</form>

Skip to Main Content

The Caring Company:

How Employers Can Cut Costs And Boost Productivity By Helping Employees Manage Caregiving Needs

By: By: Joseph B. Fuller Joseph B. Fuller & & Manjari RamanManjari Raman

By investing in a care culture, American companies can prepare themselves for the looming care crisis.

The economics of care are misaligned in most companies. Employees don’t get the support they need for their caregiving responsibilities and employers pay the hidden costs, including turnover, rehiring, presenteeism, and absenteeism.

Read the report.

Featured Videos

Joseph Fuller

Why Employers Should Care About the Care Economy

Why Employers Should Care About the Care Economy

Joseph Fuller

Joseph Fuller

Why Employers Should Care About the Care Economy

Why Employers Should Care About the Care Economy

Joseph Fuller

Joseph Fuller

Measuring the Hidden Costs of Caregiving

Measuring the Hidden Costs of Caregiving

Joseph Fuller

Joseph Fuller

Measuring the Hidden Costs of Caregiving

Measuring the Hidden Costs of Caregiving

Joseph Fuller

Podcast

The Caring Company

Joseph Fuller & Sheila Marcelo

Joseph Fuller & Sheila Marcelo

16 JAN 2019
|
Managing the Future of Work

Almost a third of workers—and more senior executives—say their careers have been adversely affected by caregiving obligations. As Joe explains to this episode’s guest host, HBS alum and Care.com CEO Sheila Marcelo, demographic trends and the changing role of women in the workforce mean that employers must “do the math” when it comes to care. By not accounting for costs like reduced productivity and increased turnover, employers leave money on the table when it comes to care.

Almost a third of workers—and more senior executives—say their careers have been adversely affected by caregiving obligations. As Joe explains to this episode’s guest host, HBS alum and Care.com CEO Sheila Marcelo, demographic trends and the changing role of women in the workforce mean that employers must “do the math” when it comes to care. By not accounting for costs like reduced productivity and increased turnover, employers leave money on the table when it comes to care.

Media Coverage

Employers Need to Address ‘Caregiving Crisis,’ Study Finds

David Harrison

16 Jan 2019
|
The Wall Street Journal

Caregiving crisis? Employers slow to catch up to ‘sandwich generation.’

Mark Trumbull

05 Mar 2019
|
The Christian Science Monitor

Wanted: Elder transportation solutions

Mitchell Hartman

30 Jan 2019
|
Marketplace

Workplaces Aren't Paying Attention To The Growing Caretaking Crisis, And It's Costing Them Talent

Sarah Kathleen Peck

24 Jan 2019
|
Forbes

Caregiving Benefits Tend to Miss the Mark

Stephen Miller

22 Jan 2019
|
Society for Human Resource Management

Caregiving duties drive many employees out of the workforce

Jack Craver

22 Jan 2019
|
Benefits Pro

Many employers unaware of costs of caregiving economy: report

21 Jan 2019
|
Benefits Canada

'Caregiving crisis' a hidden cost for businesses

Brittany De Lea

19 Jan 2019
|
Fox Business

A third of US workers have left a job due to caregiving responsibilities

Corinne Purtill

18 Jan 2019
|
Quartz at Work

The Stealth Productivity Drain on American Workers

Alix Langone

18 Jan 2019
|
Money

Upskirt Photos, Citi Pay Gap, Caregiving Crisis: Broadsheet January 17

Kristen Bellstrom & Emma Hinchliffe

17 Jan 2019
|
Fortune

Why Business Should Support Employees Who are Caregivers

Danielle Kost

17 Jan 2019
|
HBS Working Knowledge

Harvard study: Workers are facing a caregiving crisis and companies refuse to acknowledge it

Ruth Reader

16 Jan 2019
|
Fast Company

The Caring Company

Joseph Fuller & Manjari Raman

16 Jan 2019
|
American Enterprise Institute

Employers Are Clueless When It Comes To Family Caregiving

Howard Gleckman

16 Jan 2019
|
Forbes

1 In 3 Workers With Caregiving Duties At Home Have Quit A Job Because Of It

Monica Torres

16 Jan 2019
|
HuffPost

Caregiving Demands Are Affecting Employee Productivity and Company Profitability

Nancy Kerr

16 Jan 2019
|
AARP

What is the true cost of caregiving on the workforce?

Katie Clarey

16 Jan 2019
|
HR Dive

Companies lose out when employees’ caregiving burdens increase

Matt Parke

16 Jan 2019
|
Working Nation

New Research Reveals Caregiving for Elders Impacts Employee Performance

16 Jan 2019
|
Senior Safety Reviews

New Hampshire, Vermont Governors Pitch Two-State, Voluntary Paid Family-Leave Plan

Jon Kamp

16 Jan 2019
|
The Wall Street Journal

Growing Caregiving Crisis Hurting Firm Profitability, Employee Productivity

HBS

16 Jan 2019
|
HBS Newsroom

Read the Report