"Our data suggests that employers recognising the different pressures men and women caregivers face will be better placed to introduce more effective support."
- Mike Tyler, Chairman of Fruitful Insights
Of those surveyed (1,300), the absence rate amongst women giving care vs non-caregivers was 22% higher than men whose rate sat at 18%. Fruitful Insights suggested that this perhaps “isn’t surprising, given that women are more likely to be caring and picking up most of the care when they do so alongside men.” This fuels the dual drivers of absence – care responsibilities and ill-health or injury caused by the toll of caregiving.
When asked ‘Have you worked when you were unwell physically or mentally?’, presenteeism was 23% higher amongst men but only 2% higher for women, when compared to non-caregivers. Fruitful Insights said the picture this presents is “complex and nuanced and perhaps is due to the different ways that men and women balance work and care [as well as] the expectations placed on each by employers and themselves.”
Only 20% of men were primary caregivers, proving that they’re more likely to show up to work while sick than become a primary caregiver. Women often don’t have this option.
“While we’re committed to innovating for the eradication of burnout for all working caregivers, this latest data adds to a growing and compelling case for doing so: the benefit of women’s careers,” said Antonio Ribeiro, Founder of Yurtle.
He highlighted that “while it’s not ideal, and people should feel able to take time off if they are unwell, men with caregiving responsibilities being able to attend work is another way in which their careers are more protected from the impact of caregiving.”
Antonio believes working to address this is “more than just a DEI initiative, it’s the right thing to do.”
“We believe that the ageing workforce could spell trouble for many employees. We were intrigued to identify any emerging patterns to help employers develop a more nuanced response to the challenge,” added Mike Tyler, Chairman of Fruitful Insights.
“Our data suggests that employers recognising the different pressures men and women caregivers face will be better placed to introduce more effective support,” he concluded.
