What to do when employers demand you come back to the office
Hello Keeping It REAL Caregiving fam!
As you know if you follow any kind of news, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the professional work landscape.
During the height of the pandemic many workers settled into a work-from-home pattern. But that option is beginning to erode for many work sectors, as employers want staff back in the office. What will our work futures look like long term?
For anyone who was or is a family caregiver, the ability to work from home likely provided a safe-haven to be able to keep your job while also safely and properly caring for a loved one.
*See related article & video
Mother to my mother: Caregiving lessons learned
But what happens when your employer announces it is time to return to the office? No, not announces – but rather – demands?
KIRC would like to share this article penned by a fellow journalist. We connected after both being involved with the Association of Health Care Journalists conference in St. Louis, Missouri earlier this year.
Below is an excerpt from an excellent piece that reminds us – juggling the demands of caring for our loved ones impacts most EVERY aspect of our lives.
Remote Work: An Underestimated Benefit for Family Caregivers
By: Joanne Kenen
…After her stepmother died, Beltré moved her father into her home in Fort Myers, Florida, in 2016. His needs have multiplied, and she’s been juggling, juggling, juggling. She’s exhausted and, now, unemployed.
She’s also not alone. About one-fifth of U.S. workers are family caregivers, and nearly a third have quit a job because of their caregiving responsibilities, according to a report from the Rosalynn Carter Institute. Others cut back their hours. The Rand Corp. has estimated that caregivers lose half a trillion dollars in family income each year — an amount that’s almost certainly gone up since the report was released nearly a decade ago….
Call to Action
This week’s Call to Action items:
SHARE Keeping It REAL Caregiving with someone you believe could benefit from the content within our platform and archives.
SHARE any personal ‘lessons learned’ along your caregiving journey with others in your circle – we MUST talk about these issues to share the knowledge.
SHARE your desire to find support or offer support by joining local advocacy efforts. Keeping It REAL Caregiving is now part of a larger California state organization as a Regional Advocate for the California Coalition on Family Caregiving – YOU DON’T NEED TO BE IN CALIFORNIA TO GET INVOLVED and this is one way to get started!
*Note: I would like to express how thankful I am for the KIRC community. If you are not already a member, please consider subscribing and sharing with others.
Consider upgrading to a paid option which is also available to support our efforts. KIRC is a one-woman platform, driven by a desire to help bridge the gap between policy decisions, organizational programs, and all of us – REAL PEOPLE trying to figure out how to navigate family caregiving. Thank you in advance for your support!
Until next time~
Julia
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