Caregiver Protections: Employer Best Practices

By Marti Cardi, JD

VP Product Compliance
Matrix Absence Management

As more employees get caught in the work/life squeeze — trying to fulfill both family caregiver responsibilities and work duties — employers need to be proactive to assist their employees and reduce potential liability. And it goes beyond legal issues like complying with leave laws. Here are some ideas on how employers can provide support to their employees and help ease the squeeze.

Adopt (or strengthen) nondiscrimination policies to reduce the risk of conflicts that may ultimately involve compliance issues.

• Address all forms of prohibited discrimination.
• Address harassment (and sexual harassment in detail).
• Explain how these can apply to caregivers.
• Provide an effective complaint procedure.
  • Provide two or more avenues of complaint (e.g., HR and a designated company officer).
  • Never expect an employee to register a complaint with the accused manager.
  • Assure quick and thorough investigation.
  • Assure there will be NO RETALIATION for voicing a complaint..

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