When Caring for Your Parents Comes at a Cost to Your Career
“Tens of millions of Americans are straining under the burden of two jobs: the work they’re paid to do, and the task of providing care for older family members.
“The double shift can come at a career cost. Caregivers who are also working full time report turning down promotions or seeking less-demanding assignments. Some switch companies, or say they’ve had to choose care duties over their careers.“
With an aging population living longer with chronic illnesses, the need for family caregiving is rising. However, company benefits rarely cover eldercare support, forcing caregivers to manage both full-time jobs and caregiving duties. In the workplace, caregivers often face discrimination, since managers may view them as distracted or unreliable.
“My work doesn’t stop,” says Kim Moser, who manages a research lab at the University of Oklahoma while also caring for her 83-year-old mother-in-law. “There is no off switch.”
