Balancing a job and family caregiving isn’t a rare exception, it’s quickly becoming the norm. Recent reporting indicates that approximately 73 percent of employees are quietly working a “second shift” as caregivers, often dedicating 20–30 hours a week to unpaid care.

That’s a heavy load to carry on top of everyday work demands, and it can lead to stress, absenteeism, and even stalled careers if employers don’t provide meaningful support.

 

The Hidden Reality Behind the Numbers

  • A growing majority: Forbes notes that the share of working caregivers has jumped dramatically since 2020, indicating that caregiving impacts every industry and every level of the organizational chart.
  • Families of older adults feel the strain: Many caregivers are adult children juggling their own careers and families while also helping their aging parents with daily needs, such as taking them to doctors’ appointments. Without flexibility at work, these caregivers often feel forced to cut back their hours or leave the workforce entirely. As one Forbes article puts it, members of the “sandwich generation” are “being squeezed from both sides, financially and emotionally.”
  • Storytelling and allyship go a long way: Culture expert Julie Kratz argues that normalizing caregiver conversations, through honest storytelling and visible leadership support, helps employees feel safe to ask for help.

 

What Forward-Thinking Employers Are Doing

  1. Flexible scheduling: Allowing staggered hours or remote work lets caregivers handle appointments without sacrificing productivity.
  2. Caregiver resource groups: Peer networks offer a safe space for caregivers to share solutions and alleviate the isolation they often experience.
  3. Manager training: Teaching supervisors to ask “What support looks helpful?” can open the door to practical accommodations instead of silent burnout.

 

Where Villi Fits In

Villi’s Companions provides flexible, non-medical assistance, such as light housekeeping, errands, meal preparation, transportation, or simply friendly company, that can help relieve employees’ day-to-day pressure. Instead of using PTO to drive Dad to a check-up or stay home while Mom recuperates from cancer treatment or dialysis, family members can schedule a vetted Companion to step in. That might mean helping with transportation, preparing a meal, or changing the sheets so that Mom can rest while someone else handles the hands-on tasks.

  • Easy access: Creating a client account is free and takes minutes.
  • Hourly flexibility: Only a one-hour minimum per shift, making coverage affordable and scalable.
  • Trusted help: All Companions are vetted employees who undergo background checks to support you with empathy and respect.

 

Takeaways for Employers and HR Teams

  • Caregiving is widespread, not niche. Treat support as a core retention strategy, not a side perk.
  • Policies are only the start. A culture of open conversations, visible champions, and quick pathways to resources makes benefits usable.
  • Community partners matter. Services like Villi provide employees with reliable backup care, allowing them to avoid the difficult choice between work and family.

 

The Villi team is here to help.

Do you need help with a loved one?  Then, consider Villi’s homemaker and companionship services. Our team of friendly, compassionate Companions takes great pride in serving people in their community who need light assistance with daily chores, some company and conversation, or convenient transportation for errands, appointments, or trips to the store.

Explore our services to learn more about our:

  • Homemaker and companionship services
  • Easy-to-use scheduling platform
  • “Best Value” service pricing
  • Only 1-hour service minimum

 

Sign up in seconds to enjoy free 24-hour access to our on-demand scheduling platform, where you can view our team of vetted compassionate companions.

Explore Services

Sign-Up Today

 

If you have questions about our services, please call 1-844-624-5646 to speak to one of our caring service Advisors.

 

Reference Links: