Barr J K, Johnson K W, Warshaw L J
New York Business Group on Health, Inc., NY 10017-6763.
Milbank Q. 1992;70(3):509-33.
An aging population and extended longevity are increasing the number of older people needing informal and family support. At the same time, women, the traditional caregivers, have entered the work force in record numbers. Consequently, concerns about how to care for dependent family members have become workplace issues. In response to the needs of employees who care for family members, employers have produced an array of policies, benefits, and programs, including flexible work schedules and information and referral services. Although these programs are a valuable complement to community services and government initiatives, relatively few employers have recognized the potential effects of caregiving on absenteeism, productivity, and turnover; even fewer have responded with workplace programs directed to the needs of their caregiving employees. To fill the gap, the government is considering mandating employee benefits, such as leave time for family illness. Community services are increasingly being directed to the needs of older people and their caregivers.
人口老龄化和预期寿命的延长使得需要非正式和家庭支持的老年人数量不断增加。与此同时，作为传统照料者的女性进入职场的人数创下了纪录。因此，如何照顾受扶养家庭成员的问题已成为职场问题。为满足照顾家庭成员的员工的需求，雇主们制定了一系列政策、福利和计划，包括灵活的工作时间表以及信息和转介服务。尽管这些计划是对社区服务和政府举措的宝贵补充，但相对较少的雇主认识到照料对旷工、生产力和人员流动的潜在影响；更少的雇主针对其照料员工的需求制定职场计划。为填补这一空白，政府正在考虑强制规定员工福利，比如因家人患病而休假的时间。社区服务越来越多地针对老年人及其照料者的需求。
