DALLAS, TX, April 15, 2026 – A landmark report released today by CareBenefits by Care.com, titled "The 2026 Future of Benefits Report," reveals a significant and pervasive disconnect between the reality of caregiving responsibilities among the workforce and how employers perceive and support these essential roles. The findings underscore that caregiving, a fundamental pillar of societal functioning, remains largely invisible within the workplace, leading to widespread underrecognition and inadequate support for millions of employees.
The report, which surveyed 600 C-suite executives and HR decision-makers alongside 1,000 benefits-eligible employees, found that a mere 37% of employees self-identify as caregivers. This statistic sharply contrasts with the lived experiences of many more, who are either actively providing care or anticipate doing so in the near future. This underidentification suggests a reluctance or inability to openly acknowledge caregiving roles, likely due to a perceived lack of understanding or support within their professional environments.
This perception gap extends dramatically to the issue of employee stress. While a staggering 81% of employees report experiencing moderate to high levels of stress, employers significantly underestimate this figure, estimating that only 55% of their workforce is stressed. This miscalculation directly impacts the effectiveness of support systems, as evidenced by the fact that only 19% of employees feel their caregiving needs are well recognized by their employers, and a mere 20% feel very supported in these endeavors.
Brad Wilson, CEO of Care.com, emphasized the critical nature of this oversight. "Caregiving is part of the infrastructure that keeps today’s workforce running, but much of it goes unseen," Wilson stated. "When that reality isn’t fully acknowledged, it’s harder to support employees in meaningful ways. Closing that gap is one of the biggest opportunities companies have today to improve retention, productivity, and employee well-being."
The report’s findings paint a clear picture of a workforce shouldering significant personal responsibilities that directly influence their professional lives, often without formal acknowledgment or adequate resources.
The Pervasive Influence of Unseen Caregiving
Across virtually all industries and professional levels, employees are navigating the complex demands of caregiving. These responsibilities are not peripheral; they actively shape how and when work gets done, often requiring flexibility, time adjustments, and emotional bandwidth that can be strained by external obligations.
The data indicates that younger generations are particularly immersed in caregiving roles. Nearly three-quarters of millennials (74%) and over two-thirds of Gen Z (67%) report providing care for a child or anticipate doing so in the future. Furthermore, a substantial portion of each generation anticipates caring for aging loved ones, with over half expecting to take on this responsibility. This dual commitment is further compounded by the fact that 52% of these generations are part of, or expect to join, the "sandwich generation," tasked with simultaneously caring for both children and elderly family members.
These multifaceted caregiving duties are frequently integrated into the workday in ways that are not formally recognized or accommodated by traditional work structures. Employees often manage these responsibilities through personal time, flexible scheduling arrangements negotiated informally, or by simply absorbing the additional stress and logistical challenges without explicit employer support. This "hidden" work, while essential for personal and familial well-being, goes unquantified and unaddressed in many corporate benefit strategies.
The Challenge of Supporting What Isn’t Seen
The report highlights a fundamental challenge: when caregiving responsibilities are not readily apparent or acknowledged within a workplace, it becomes significantly harder for organizations to provide effective support. This lack of visibility means that the impact of caregiving on core business outcomes – such as employee engagement, productivity, and retention – may not be fully understood or addressed.
Despite this impact, the survey results reveal a profound sense of underrecognition and undersupport among employees. As previously noted, only 19% feel their caregiving needs are well recognized, and just 20% feel very supported. This sentiment is mirrored in the perceived preparedness of managers. A mere 29% of employers rate their managers as "very prepared" to handle the complexities of employee caregiving challenges, indicating a substantial gap in frontline supervisory understanding and capability.
This disconnect can manifest in several ways. Employees may feel compelled to hide their caregiving duties, leading to increased stress and potential burnout. They might miss work opportunities, struggle to meet deadlines, or experience reduced focus due to competing personal demands. Without a supportive framework, these challenges can erode job satisfaction and overall well-being, ultimately impacting the employer’s bottom line through decreased productivity and increased turnover.
The Tangible Business Implications of Caregiving
The growing prevalence of caregiving responsibilities is increasingly translating into direct business implications, particularly concerning workforce retention and participation. The report’s findings underscore the significant impact these responsibilities have on an individual’s decision to remain in the workforce or to seek alternative employment.
Alarmingly, nearly one in four employees (24%) report having contemplated leaving their jobs entirely due to caregiving challenges. This figure represents a substantial portion of the workforce contemplating exiting their careers, leading to a loss of talent, experience, and institutional knowledge for companies. Furthermore, 23% of employees have actively left a job specifically to accept a position with an employer offering superior family care benefits. This statistic clearly demonstrates that caregiving support is becoming a significant factor in talent acquisition and retention strategies.
The influence of caregiving benefits on career decisions is further amplified by the fact that 85% of employees indicate that at least one caregiving-related benefit could sway their decision to switch jobs. This suggests that a robust and well-communicated caregiving benefits package can be a powerful competitive differentiator for employers seeking to attract and retain top talent.
Conversely, the report also illustrates the negative consequences for employees who lose access to family care benefits. Those who experience such a loss anticipate a significant increase in stress levels (58%), a decline in productivity (39%), and a reduction in overall job satisfaction (36%). These outcomes highlight the tangible value that caregiving support provides, not just for the individual employee but for the organization as a whole.
Employers Responding, Yet Opportunities for Deeper Engagement Remain
In response to evolving workforce expectations and the undeniable impact of caregiving, many employers are actively working to adapt their benefit offerings and support structures. The report indicates a growing awareness among organizations regarding the importance of family care benefits.
However, a persistent awareness gap remains, hindering the full utilization of existing benefits. While 39% of employers report offering child care benefits, a significantly lower percentage of employees – just 22% – are aware that these benefits are available. This disparity points to a critical need for improved communication and outreach strategies to ensure employees are informed about and can effectively access the support that is already in place.
The "2026 Future of Benefits Report" provides a comprehensive look at the current landscape of caregiving and its intersection with the modern workplace. The full findings, offering deeper insights into employer strategies and employee experiences, are available for review.
About the 2026 Future of Benefits Report
The "2026 Future of Benefits Report" is an in-depth examination of how caregiving responsibilities are fundamentally reshaping the contemporary workforce and the implications for employers striving to create supportive and productive work environments. The report’s findings are derived from comprehensive surveys conducted in January 2026, encompassing the perspectives of 600 U.S. benefits decision-makers and 1,000 U.S. employees. This dual-perspective approach allows for a nuanced understanding of both organizational strategies and employee needs.
About Care.com
Care.com stands as a pivotal platform connecting families seeking reliable care services with qualified caregivers looking for meaningful employment opportunities. Since its inception in 2007, Care.com has become an essential resource for over 45 million individuals across a wide spectrum of care needs, including childcare, senior care, adult care, pet care, and household services. The platform aims to simplify and personalize the process of finding care, whether it’s a nanny for a newborn, guidance on assisted living communities for elderly relatives, or companionship for pets. Through its specialized division, CareBenefits, Care.com partners with more than 700 companies to offer comprehensive family care benefits to their employees. Additionally, its HomePay service streamlines household tax and payroll management for families. Care.com is a proud member of the IAC family.
About CareBenefits by Care.com
CareBenefits by Care.com specializes in providing employer-sponsored care solutions meticulously designed to enhance workforce productivity, improve recruitment and retention rates, and foster overall employee well-being. Serving a substantial client base of over 700 companies and impacting the lives of 31 million working families, Care.com’s solutions empower employees to more effectively find, afford, and navigate essential care services for children, aging loved ones, and other family needs. The core philosophy driving CareBenefits is simple yet profound: "Because when care works, work works." This motto encapsulates the understanding that by addressing the critical care needs of employees, businesses can unlock greater potential and achieve stronger operational success.
