Cancer caregiving can consume a workweek
A new review puts a number on unpaid cancer care and its workplace effects, though its pooled estimates vary widely across studies.
People caring without pay for an adult with cancer provided an estimated 45 hours of care each week in a review of 59 studies.
The review estimated that employed caregivers reduced work hours by 13%, missed 5% of workdays, and reported a 24% loss in workplace productivity. Thirty percent reported reduced job responsibilities, and burdens were greater when the person with cancer had advanced disease or was receiving palliative care.
Federal Family and Medical Leave Act protections may give eligible workers up to 12 workweeks of job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons, including a serious health condition. That leave is unpaid. A caregiver with cancer-related needs can check eligibility, and an employer may request medical information before approving leave. The Labor Department says an employer must allow at least 15 calendar days to provide sufficient medical information.
Evidence
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- Cancer caregiving can consume a workweek
- A new review puts a number on unpaid cancer care and its workplace effects, though its pooled estimates vary widely across studies.
- People caring without pay for an adult with cancer provided an estimated 45 hours of care each week in a review of 59 studies.
- The review estimated that employed caregivers reduced work hours by 13%, missed 5% of workdays, and reported a 24% loss in workplace productivity.
- Thirty percent reported reduced job responsibilities, and burdens were greater when the person with cancer had advanced disease or was receiving palliative care.
- Federal Family and Medical Leave Act protections may give eligible workers up to 12 workweeks of job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons, including a serious health condition. That leave is unpaid.
- A caregiver with cancer-related needs can check eligibility, and an employer may request medical information before approving leave. The Labor Department says an employer must allow at least 15 calendar days to provide sufficient medical information.