Introduction: A New Year’s Resolution for 2025
As 2025 begins, many organisations are setting new goals. Supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities should be a top priority. According to REBA’s benefit trends for 2025, 71% of employers say caregiving will be a major workforce trend this year.
Caregivers often juggle work and caring for loved ones. This can lead to stress, burnout, and loneliness. Supporting these employees is essential. It helps carers feel valued and improves productivity across the workplace.
The Mental Health Challenges of Caregiving
Caregivers face many pressures. They balance work tasks with caregiving duties. This can harm their mental health.
Carers UK reports:
79% of carers feel stressed or anxious.
50% feel lonely.
49% struggle with depression.
These issues affect more than the individual. Caregivers experiencing stress are often less productive. Many also face presenteeism, where they are at work but not performing well. This can disrupt teams and reduce overall productivity.
Mental health struggles also cost businesses money. The University of Sheffield found that poor mental health leads to a 4-minute productivity loss per day per employee. For companies with many caregiving employees, this adds up quickly.
Why Mental Health Matters for Employers
Mental health affects workplace performance. According to Aegon, presenteeism costs UK employers £6.6 billion each year. This is more than the £3.7 billion lost to absenteeism. Caregiving employees often face extra pressures, making these costs higher.
Investing in mental health support has clear benefits for businesses:
Fewer absences and less presenteeism.
Better employee retention, as carers feel valued.
Happier and more engaged teams.
Supporting mental health helps employees and improves business results. Organisations that focus on this create stronger, more resilient workforces.
How Employers Can Make Mental Health a 2025 Goal
Employers can take practical steps to support caregiving employees. These actions can improve carers’ mental health and well-being:
1. Offer Flexible Work Options
Flexibility helps carers manage their responsibilities. Allow options like flexible hours or remote work to reduce stress.
2. Provide Mental Health Resources
Access to counselling and support groups is essential. These resources should be easy to use and tailored to carers’ needs.
3. Educate and Empower Carers
Training on stress management and self-care helps carers stay in control. This reduces the risk of burnout and boosts confidence.
4. Build a Supportive Culture
Encourage open conversations about caregiving and mental health. Create policies that make carers feel included and supported.
Why 2025 Is the Right Time to Act
Caregiver mental health is a growing issue. It affects employees and the wider workplace. By focusing on mental health, employers can create a culture of care and respect.
This commitment leads to:
Better productivity.
Lower staff turnover.
A reputation as a supportive, attractive employer.
How Yurtle Can Help Employers Achieve These Goals
Yurtle provides tools to help employers support caregiving employees. Our solutions are designed to address the unique challenges carers face at work and at home.
Yurtle’s Key Solutions
Support Team for Carers: Personalised advice to help carers manage their roles.
Educational Resources: Guides and tips to help carers balance work and caregiving.
Back-up Care: Immediate support during caregiving emergencies.
Caregiver Insurance: Financial help during crises, ensuring a continuity of care promise.
Yurtle’s solutions make it easier for businesses to care for their employees. By partnering with us, companies can turn their resolutions into lasting change.
Conclusion: A Resolution Worth Keeping
New Year’s resolutions are about making positive changes. In 2025, let’s make caregiving employees’ mental health a priority. Supporting carers benefits employees and strengthens organisations.
Yurtle is here to help. With our solutions, employers can create workplaces where caregiving and careers thrive together.
Let’s make 2025 the year we put carers first.
Comments