Balancing Demands: Survey Finds More Employees Taking on Caregiving Duties

New data suggests that the percentage of American employees with caregiving responsibilities is on the rise, and the challenge of balancing these duties is taking a toll on caregivers’ health.

Guardian’s new “From Workforce to ‘Careforce’” report highlights findings from a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. employees, including a sample of 810 caregivers to a sick or elderly adult, 105 to a special needs child, plus 348 parents.

The report found that, among all Americans who remain in the workforce on a full-time basis, nearly half (43%) juggle caregiving duties. This number represents a 13% increase from previous years, according to Guardian, which found 38% of full-time employees saying they had caregiving responsibilities in 2019.

Two years ago, Guardian found 56% of full-time workers who were also caregivers were women, compared to 44% who were men. In 2025, men now make up 57% of full-time working caregivers, with women making up the remaining 43%, according to Guardian.

“As women still represent the vast majority of all caregivers,” the report read, “this suggests an exodus of women from the full-time workforce rather than a dramatic shift in who is managing caregiving responsibilities.”

Not surprisingly, juggling caregiving demands with work responsibilities is taking a toll on many employees’ overall well-being.

For example, just 36% of respondents with caregiving responsibilities reported “very good” mental health. Caregivers were also 55% more likely to say they struggle with substance use challenges, and 48% more likely to have experienced increased anxiety and depression over the past year, according to the survey. Just one-third of caregivers said they are “taking care of their physical health.”

The report also notes that caregivers with access to relevant support from their employers—childcare benefits, flexible work schedules, mental health and substance use support, paid leave, for instance—report better overall well-being and less stress.

“Employers have a real opportunity to make a difference for working caregivers, whether through offering dedicated mental health and caregiving wellness services, flexible schedules, equitable paid leave benefits, or employee assistance programs through their benefits,” said Jessica Vanscavish, head of disability, absence, life and supplemental health at Guardian, in a statement.

When employers offer these types of resources, “it’s not just individual employees and their families who benefit,” Vanscavish added. “Entire organizations can see improvements in engagement, retention and overall performance.”