Caregiving for a family member is, for most individuals, an unpaid, secondary career. It can negatively affect your professional path and daily productivity, often in unseen ways. Some effects are obvious, including logistical challenges like missed workdays; switching to reduced hours, transitioning to a less-demanding job or even taking an unpaid leave of absence. But there are also significant long-term impacts on careers and productivity which can frequently be invisible to peers and employers. The intensity of these impacts can be heightened when the caregiving need is prolonged and/or unpredictable.
Impacts on productivity
- Second shift fatigue: Caregivers often work a full shift at their regular job, followed by a second shift filled with demanding physical tasks, providing emotional support, managing medication, making meals, paying bills and so much more on behalf of their loved one. What results is chronic exhaustion that degrades decision-making speed, creativity, and problem-solving skills, impacting both jobs.
- Frequent micro-interruptions: A caregiver’s day is fragmented by unpredictable phone calls from doctors, pharmacies, other family members or the person for whom they provide care. It becomes extremely challenging, if not impossible, to retain the laser focus needed for many complex professional tasks.
- Presenteeism: Employees are physically present at their workplace but might be mentally and emotionally detached. Instead of concentrating on their job, they could be managing care crises via email or text, spending their lunch hour researching treatment options, or dealing with intense sleep deprivation.
Hidden career implications
- The invisible penalty: Because caregivers often have to leave work at a set time for appointments and scheduled commitments, plus are not available on evenings or weekends, they may be passed over for opportunities and promotions. Managers may misinterpret their lack of after-hours flexibility as a lack of ambition.
- Self-stalled career progression: Many caregivers can only cope with the intense pressure by downshifting at work. This may include rejecting relocation and/or promotions, turning down challenging assignments or travel-heavy roles, or switching to less demanding jobs that are well below their salary potential and skills.
- Premature retirement: Caregiving pressures can result in a breaking point, leading to a complete exit from the paid workforce, often years earlier than planned. If re-entry is sought, extended career gaps in a resume are problematic and can permanently reduce lifetime earning potential and retirement savings.
Caregiver burnout is real and can manifest itself in both physical and emotional exhaustion. Not only does this put the caregiver’s health at risk, it also can jeopardize their ability to provide the amount and quality of care needed.
So what can caregivers do to mitigate the impacts on their health, career path and productivity? The best course of action is to hire reliable, capable home care personnel who can shoulder some of the burden and ensure your loved one is expertly cared for while you focus on your primary job.
Contact GEM Health Care Services to learn more about how our customized one-on-one support can help both you and your loved one. We can mitigate the effects on your career and provide peace of mind as you count on us every step of the way while navigating your caregiving journey.
This content was first published on obj.ca.
