Number of caregivers working full-time increased by double digits, report finds

The percentage of full-time working Americans who also manage caregiving responsibilities has increased sharply in recent years, posing challenges for employees who need support from employers, according to a November 19 report of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

Nearly half (43%) of full-time workers juggle caring 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 to come,” Stacey Hoin, CHRO at Guardian, said in a statement. “Given the impact of caregiving on an employee’s mental, physical and financial well-being, it is essential that we provide support that meets these interconnected needs.

Most working caregivers struggle to juggling their caregiving to-do list and their work to-do listaccording to an Atlassian survey. This leads a majority of caregivers to use their free time to catch up at work, and this balance has had a negative impact on their careers, according to the report.

In the Guardian survey, caregiving appears to be important across generations, with 25% of baby boomers, 39% of Gen X workers, 51% of millennials and 38% of Gen Z reporting having caregiving responsibilities.

Women, in particular, take on full-time care work. 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 caregivers were men and 43% were women, indicating that women are leaving full-time work to care for others.

Carers working full-time reported mental health issues, with only 36% reporting “very good” mental health. Caregivers are 55% more likely to struggle with substance use issues and 48% more likely to experience increased anxiety and depression. Among caregivers who took paid leave from work, 37% said it was due to mental health reasons.

Nearly half of caregivers who were under-resourced 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 wellness services, flexible schedules, fair paid leave benefits and employee assistance programs. These resources can reduce the need for employees to take time off, as well as improve engagement, retention and overall performance, according to the report.

The increasing pressure placed on caregivers has increased the need for caregiver benefitsespecially for the “sandwich generation” who care for both children and the elderly, experts told HR Dive. Human resources managers can offer special paid leave, flexibility and supportive work environments, they said.

Employers without paid leave for caregivers, we risk losing talentaccording to a prudential report. Companies can address concerns and reduce barriers by listening to employees, clearly explaining benefits and consulting with brokers to meet needs based on state laws, the firm said.