Work-Life Programs and Policies: The Value of Doing the Right Thing

1. Work-Life Programs and Policies:The Value of Doing the Right Thing [ADD Presenter Name Here]

2. A life-limiting illness or death is one of the most difficult situations faced by employees, co-workers and the workplace.

3. Have You Experienced… • Employees who: • Are family caregivers • Have a serious illness • Are dealing with grief and loss • Are making future health care decisions • An employee death If you haven’t, you will

4. Why Address End-of-Life Issues? • 44 million Americans are providing unpaid care to an adult relative or friend (AARP/NAC, 2004) • Nearly 60% of those caring for an older adult are working (MetLife/NAC, 2006; AARP/NAC, 2004) • Absenteeism is the most frequently reported eldercare issue (SHRM, 2003)

5. Estimated Annual Costs for Full Time Employed Caregivers MetLife Mature Market Institute, 2006

6. What about Cathy? Cathy has worked as an administrative assistant for five years. Her colleagues describe her as dedicated and “invaluable.” For the past two years, she has been helping her grandfather care for her grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Cathy helps her grandfather coordinate her grandmother’s care and drives him to the nursing home every evening so he can spend time with his wife. Cathy’s grandfather is emotionally and physically exhausted, and Cathy is very worried about both of them.

7. If Cathy Worked for You… How could this affect your business? • Absenteeism • Workday interruptions • Reduced productivity • Supervisor time • Unpaid leave • Replace position • Co-workers

8. If Cathy Worked for You… How much could she cost your business? (if her salary is $15.00/hour and there is no workplace support) $1888.90 www.eldercalculator.org

9. In a Typical Workplace, Cathy Might… • Be fired as a result of reduced productivity or frequent absences • Alienate her co-workers who pitch in to help cover her workload • Become resentful if her employers aren’t sympathetic • Quit her job to become a full-time caregiver

10. What Can You Do To Support Employees Like Cathy? LIVE!

11. LEARN • End-of-life issues • Family caregivers • Serious illness • Grief and loss • Advance care planning • Work-life program models • Policies and benefits • Community resources

12. IMPLEMENT New and/or fine tune existing: • Work-Life programs • Policies • Benefits • Manager resources • Employee resources

13. VOICE Existing & new work-life programs, policies and resources available: To employees • Staff meetings • Company newsletter • New employee orientation To community • United Way or Chamber of Commerce • Local newspaper or magazine articles

14. ENGAGE • Managers: to monitor end-of-life issues • Employees: to ask for help • Co-workers: to support co-worker in need • Other businesses: to educate employees • Community: to improve end-of-life care

15. What’s In It For You? • Increased employee morale and loyalty • Retention of good employees • Family-friendly work environment • Decreased cost to business It’s the right thing to do!

16. Helpful Resources • List resources in your community or state here • List your contact information

17. Helpful Resources • It’s About How You LIVE – At Work: An Employer’s Guide to Work-Life Programs and Policies • Caring Connections educational brochures for employees and managers • Caringinfo.org - consumer Web site • National HelpLines: • 1.800.658.8898 • 1.877.658.8896 (Spanish language)

18. For More Information Contact Caring Connections: liveatwork@nhpco.org 1.800.658.8898 caringinfo.org