Two-fifths of millennials have said their careers have suffered as a result of taking on caring responsibilities for children and/or older relatives, as part of a rising trend termed multigenerational family care.
Research from Bupa has revealed that millennial employees, aged between 25 and 44, miss an average of six working days each year in sick leave or unpaid leave due to caring responsibilities. This group also uses six days of annual leave each year to look after family members.
The research, with 8,027 UK adults, revealed that millennials have increasingly taken on healthcare responsibilities for children and/or older relatives, with 6.2 million (35 percent of this age group) now holding primary carer status outside of work.
‘New sandwich generation’
The research found that millennials are the age group “most significantly affected by caregiving responsibilities in their daily lives”. This has prompted researchers to dub them ‘the new sandwich generation’ as they have replaced the original ‘sandwich generation’ aged between 45 and 59.
These trends, detailed in a recently released chapter of the Bupa Wellbeing Index (titled ‘Multigenerational Health and the Missing Middle’), represent a concern for businesses because millennials are a core workforce demographic critical to driving the UK economy.
The impact caregiving is having on this age group has prompted further warnings that burnout is a particular problem because they are at a crucial stage of their career advancement.
Widespread impacts
The survey found that caring responsibilities impacted all age groups, with 51 percent reporting that their career has been negatively affected by taking on such responsibilities.
A quarter of women (25 percent) said their career had been limited as a result of caring responsibilities, with this percentage rising to 35 percent among millennials.
More than half (57 percent) of all survey respondents said that caring for their family has impacted their daily life, with 35 percent losing sleep worrying about loved ones.
More than one in ten (14 percent) said caregiving impairs their ability to concentrate at work, rising to 18 percent for millennials
Employer support
Bupa said that as employees face mounting challenges outside work, it’s important for employers to find ways to better support them.
Survey results showed that 68 percent of employees would like employers to provide tools and guidance to help them manage their caregiving responsibilities and maintain their own wellbeing. The next biggest priority, chosen by 58 percent of respondents, is access to private healthcare for them and their family.
The data showed that the benefits people most value when job hunting are schemes that support caregivers in multigenerational families. Nearly a third (31 percent) are looking for flexible working arrangements, which help them to balance their work-life and caring responsibilities. Private healthcare (20 percent) and private medical insurance (20 percent) were also found to be important factors among job seekers.
Important role
Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO for Bupa Global, India & UK, said: “We are seeing more organisations come to us seeking broader healthcare support to help keep their people healthy and in the workplace for longer.
“Millennials are a core workforce demographic and vital to the UK economy, they are experienced in the workplace and have years to grow their careers.
“Employers therefore have an important role to play in understanding the pressures this demographic is facing and looking for ways to support their staff so they can thrive in the workplace and succeed in their career.
“At Bupa, we know early intervention saves lives, can support long term health and reduce sickness. Through a holistic wellness approach, education, access to services and a flexible working culture, organisations can benefit in keeping their workforces well for longer.”
