Just Like Family

Caregiving Partnerships
Why Canadian Employers Can’t Ignore the Needs of Family Caregivers Any Longer

June 27, 2025

Supporting employees with professional home care services isn’t just compassionate—it’s strategic

Did you know that 6.1 million Canadian employees are quietly juggling their jobs while providing care for a loved one? If you’re a Human Resources professional, this is more than a statistic—it’s a flashing red light. Caregiving is no longer a personal issue; it’s a workforce issue. And the ripple effects can be seen at companies across Canada in reduced productivity, engagement, and retention.

A National Reality That’s Impacting Every Workforce

Caregiver Statistics Every Employer Should Know

Let’s break it down with the most recent 2024–2025 Canadian workforce data:

  • 1 in 4 Canadians is currently a family caregiver
  • 1 in 2 Canadians will take on this role at some point
  • 5.2 million working Canadians, ages 19–70, are actively balancing employment and caregiving
  • Together, they provide 5.7 billion hours of unpaid care—that’s 4.2% of Canada’s GDP in hidden labour

These aren’t abstract numbers—they’re your team.

The Hidden Costs to Business

The Real Impact on Productivity and Culture

Here’s what caregiving looks like in the workplace:

  • 33% of employee caregivers experience burnout
  • 30% of sandwich-generation workers adjust their schedules regularly
  • 35% reduce their work hours
  • 25% scale back from full-time to part-time
  • They’re almost twice as likely to miss work due to mental health challenges

That constant need to shift schedules? It doesn’t just impact the caregiver—it affects team momentum, collaboration, and delivery timelines.

The Overlooked Challenge: Post-Surgery Recovery

Employees recovering from surgery or major illness often face significant challenges—many of which go unnoticed in the workplace. Recovery often requires help with mobility, support for daily routines, medication management, and coping with side effects, not to mention the emotional toll of isolation and vulnerability. Without proper support, these individuals may need extended leaves from work. As a result, many turn to a spouse or adult child for help—placing additional strain on your workforce. Enlisting the support of an untrained loved one can also jeopardize recovery and lead to increased absenteeism and possibly re-admission to the hospital. And while public funding for home care exists, it frequently falls short, leaving families to navigate the gaps on their own.

Why Management Needs to Care: The Employer ROI

There’s a Strong Business Case for Caregiver Support

Organizations that step up for caregiving employees report:

  • Better engagement and morale
  • Higher retention rates
  • Lower absenteeism
  • Improved brand reputation
  • Competitive advantage in recruiting

And here’s something critical: Canadian employers are legally required to accommodate caregiving needs under human rights legislation. Offering solutions like home care benefits doesn’t just help—it keeps you ahead of legal challenges.

For more information on the legal context, check out this helpful article from the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

What’s the Solution? Professional Home Care Benefits

Support That Meets Employees Where They’re At

Home care services can be a lifeline for both recovering employees and those caring for someone else.

Post-Surgery Recovery Support Includes:

  • Assistance with dressing, bathing, and mobility
  • Medication reminders and wound monitoring
  • Emotional reassurance during vulnerable periods
  • Faster, safer transitions back to work

For Family Caregivers:

  • Short-term respite to reduce burnout
  • Specialized dementia and chronic illness care
  • Companion visits to reduce loneliness
  • Help with meals, errands, and household routines

Learn more about how our respite care and recovery support services can complement your existing employee assistance program.

Partnering With Just Like Family Home Care

As Canada’s only national Certified Social Enterprise in home care, Just Like Family Home Care brings something different to the table:

Why Employers Choose Us:

  • Nearly 50 locally owned franchises across 5 provinces
  • 8 specialized service categories, including dementia care, disability support, and personal care
  • Flexible options: from a few hours a week to 24/7 care
  • Caregivers are vetted, trained, insured, and bonded

We Reinvent Profit with Purpose:

  • 51%+ of profits are reinvested into our social mission
  • We’re proudly certified by Buy Social Canada
  • Our work contributes directly to stronger communities, healthier families, and a more inclusive future

How HR Teams Can Launch Caregiver Support Strategically

Step 1: Understand Your Team

  • Run a confidential employee survey on caregiving responsibilities
  • Audit productivity losses due to absenteeism and schedule changes
  • Evaluate the gaps in your current EAP or health benefits

Step 2: Build Your Internal Business Case

  • Present caregiver support data to leadership
  • Calculate cost savings from improved retention and reduced time off
  • Emphasize compliance and employee well-being

Step 3: Engage a Home Care Partner

Step 4: Communicate & Activate

  • Announce your caregiver support strategy internally
  • Offer webinars or “Lunch & Learns” on navigating caregiving. The expert team at Just Like Family Home Care is more than happy to facilitate these sessions with your workplace.
  • Make services easy to access with a simple intake form or EAP referral

Competitive Edge: Building a Culture of Care

Supporting Canadian family caregivers isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a signal to your current and future workforce that you see them—not just as employees, but as whole people.

  • You show empathy without sacrificing productivity
  • You respond to demographic shifts with real-world solutions
  • You position your brand as a workplace that understands the challenges your team may face

This kind of care builds resilience—at the individual and team level.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Whether you want to support post-surgery recovery, add new options to your employee assistance program, or simply show that you care—home care services are a powerful tool.

📞 Connect with Just Like Family Home Care:

Final Thought: Act Before the Crisis Hits

The 6.1 million Canadian workers who are quietly managing caregiving duties? They don’t need more stress. They need options. Employers who respond with empathy and practical support will be the ones who thrive.

Because when people feel supported at home, they show up stronger at work—it’s not just care, it’s common sense.

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