Number of full-time workers who are juggling caregiving responsibilities has increased by double digits, even as more women leave the workforce

Guardian's "From Workforce to 'Careforce'" report finds a 13% increase in the number of employees balancing caregiving responsibilities and a job, with more women leaving the workforce for full-time caregiving responsibilities

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian) has found that the percentage of full-time working Americans who also manage caregiving duties for a loved one has risen sharply since 2019. At the same time, more women are leaving the workforce because of the difficulty in balancing their jobs with caregiving responsibilities.

Download the From Workforce to "Careforce" report here:  https://www.guardianlife.com/reports/caregiving-in-america.

Among all Americans who remain in the workforce full time, nearly half (43%) juggle caregiving duties. This represents a 13% increase from prior years, when 38% of full-time employees reported having caregiving responsibilities in 2019.

More women are taking on caregiving duties full time
In 2023, Guardian found that 56% of full-time workers who were also caregivers were women, while 44% were men. In 2025, Guardian's new report found that men now make up 57% of full-time working caregivers, with women comprising the remaining 43%. As women still represent the vast majority of all caregivers, this suggests an exodus of women from the full-time workforce rather than a dramatic shift in who is managing caregiving responsibilities.

Supporting caregivers in the workplace
When employers step up to support their employees with caregiving responsibilities, everyone benefits.

According to the report, caregivers with access to relevant support at work report better overall well-being and mental health, as well as less stress. In contrast, nearly half of caregivers who lack resources or assistance from their companies report low overall well-being.

"With nearly half of full-time workers also taking on caregiving roles, today's workforce continues to undergo a profound transformation that will only accelerate in the years ahead," said Stacey Hoin, Chief Human Resources Officer at Guardian. "As almost one out of every two employees is now a caregiver, retaining this talent is a business imperative for employers and HR professionals. Given the impact of caregiving on an employee's mental, physical, and financial wellness, it's essential that we offer support that addresses these interconnected needs."

Providing resources for caregivers can also minimize the need for employees to take one or multiple leaves of absence. This is particularly important given that Guardian found that one-third of caregivers who take a leave to care for family members end up taking another leave for themselves.  

"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. "When companies offer these resources, it's not just individual employees and their families who benefit—entire organizations can see improvements in engagement, retention, and overall performance."

Other takeaways from the From Workforce to "Careforce" report include:

Caregiving responsibilities are prevalent across generations in the workforce.

• 25% of Baby Boomers, 39% of Gen X, 51% of Millennials, and 38% of Gen Z employees identify as having caregiving responsibilities.

Caregivers face mental health challenges.

• Only 36% of caregivers report "very good" mental health.
  
  
• Caregivers are 55% more likely to struggle with substance use challenges than non-caregivers.
  
  
• Caregivers are 48% more likely to have experienced increased anxiety and depression over the past year.
  
  
• Of caregivers who took a paid leave of absence from work, over a third (37%) said that it was due to mental health needs.

A copy of the From Workforce to "Careforce" report is available here: https://www.guardianlife.com/reports/caregiving-in-america .

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About Guardian
Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With 165 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted resource to generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, we stand behind millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. We help business owners care for their employees. And we help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a modern mutual insurance company, we believe in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building an inclusive and innovative culture, and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful corporate impact programs. Guardian, which is based in New York City, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received accolades for its culture and service. Our colleagues and financial professionals serve with care and experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which included a 2025 dividend allocation of $1.6 billion – the largest in the company's history. For more information, visit guardianlife.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Disclaimer
Dividends are not guaranteed. They are declared annually by Guardian's Board of Directors. The total dividend calculation includes mortality experience and expense management as well as investment results.

All guarantees are backed by the strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Financial information concerning Guardian as of December 31, 2024, on a statutory basis: Admitted assets = $86.8 billion; liabilities = $77.5 billion (including $60.7 billion of reserves); and surplus = $9.3 billion.

Guardian's Group Insurance products are underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products are not available in all states.

All data is sourced from Guardian's From Workforce to "Careforce" report.

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SOURCE Guardian