The percentage of full-time working Americans who also manage caregiving responsibilities has risen sharply in recent years, posing difficulties for employees that require support from employers, according to a Nov. 19 report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.
Nearly half (43%) of full-time workers juggle caregiving duties for a loved one, representing a 13% increase from 2019, according to the report.
“With nearly half of full-time workers also taking on caregiving roles, today’s workforce continues to undergo a profound transformation that will only accelerate in the years ahead,” Stacey Hoin, CHRO at Guardian, said in a statement. “Given the impact of caregiving on an employee’s mental, physical and financial wellness, it’s essential that we offer support that addresses these interconnected needs.”
Most working caregivers are struggling to juggle their caregiving to-do list alongside their work to-do list, according to an Atlassian survey. This leads a majority of caregivers to use their time off to catch up on work, and striking this balance has had a negative impact on their career, the report found.
In the Guardian survey, caregiving appears to be prominent across generations, with 25% of baby boomers, 39% of Generation X workers, 51% of millennials and 38% of Generation Z reporting caregiver responsibilities.
Women, in particular, are taking on caregiving duties full time. In 2023, 56% of full-time workers who were also caregivers were women, and 44% were men, according to a previous Guardian report. In 2025, 57% of full-time working caregivers were men while 43% were women, indicating that women are leaving full-time work to care for others.
Full-time working caregivers reported mental health challenges, with only 36% saying they have “very good” mental health. Caregivers are 55% more likely to struggle with substance use challenges and 48% more likely to experience increased anxiety and depression. Among caregivers who took a paid leave of absence from work, 37% said it was due to mental health.
Nearly half of caregivers who lacked resources at work reported low overall well-being, the report found. In contrast, caregivers with access to relevant support at work reported less stress and better mental health and well-being.
Guardian suggested helping caregivers by providing mental health and caregiving wellness services, flexible schedules, equitable paid leave benefits and employee assistance programs. These resources can reduce the need for employees to take leave, as well as improve engagement, retention and overall performance, the report found.
The growing strain on caregivers has increased the need for caregiving benefits, especially for the “sandwich generation” caring for both children and older adults, experts told HR Dive. HR leaders can offer special paid leave, flexibility and supportive work environments, they said.
Employers without paid caregiving leave risk losing talent, according to a Prudential report. Companies can address concerns and reduce barriers by listening to employees, explaining benefits clearly and consulting with brokers to address needs based on state laws, the firm said.