If you have baby boomers on your team or are a baby boomer yourself, you know that people’s concern about parents increases as they age. Most baby boomers want to be able to meet their obligations to aging parents and achieve balance with other demands in their lives: how to manage the squeeze of being in the “sandwich generation.”
Here are 4 ways you can support your employees who have aging parents:
1. Talk to your Human Resources Department...
- Are there personal days available for staff?
- Do benefits include Elder Care services?
- Can employees maintain pension contributions while on leave caring for aged parents?
- Does your organization provide information and support to employees seeking elder care services?
2. Provide staff development...
- Offer staff sessions about aging. Increased knowledge will promote a proactive approach and assist employees to address emerging health concerns before they become serious issues.
- Provide lists of resources and contact information on seniors services.
3. Provide workplace support and structures...
- Be open to flexible hours. Staff may need to take time off to accommodate parents and attend appointments with physicians and other health care providers.
- Can allowances be made to enable staff to work at home when necessary?
- Is there sufficient technical support in your organization to foster adaptable working arrangements?
- Be prepared for sudden emergencies necessitating immediate departure from the workplace. Buddy systems or work partners might provide important back-up to ensure seamless workplace processes in this event.
4. Listen – be empathic!
Issues of meeting the needs of aging parents may face you in the near future, also.
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