By Contributor Julie Kratz
Busy mature businessman working from home and watching his crying son at night, who is is yelling at … More him. Upset displaced father forced to work from home as the pandemic corona virus (COVID-19) forces many employees to work from home. Real people. Copy space.
What does support look like for you is one of the most important phrases a leader can utilize. Asking about your team member鈥檚 support needs signals you care about them and want them to be in an environment where they can do their best work.
In my interview with Sarah Kernion, an advocate and storyteller, amplifying the voices of families living with profound autism. As the founder of Saturday鈥檚 Story, she shares raw, unfiltered narratives that challenge public misconceptions and bring visibility to an often-overlooked community.
鈥淎s a caregiver of two children with profound autism, support looks different for me. My children鈥檚 caregiving support is a full-time job. I am responsible for their nourishment, hygiene, and survival needs,鈥 Kernion explained.
Supporting caregivers benefits everyone in the workplace. Because women are still the majority of caregivers, this is especially important. Studies show that women鈥檚 careers plateau or plummet when they become caregivers, especially for children who are neurodivergent. Women as caregivers cite:
33% of working women decreased their work hours
29% passed up a job promotion, training, or assignment
22% took a leave of absence
20% switched from full-time to part-time employment
16% quit their jobs
13% retired early
Supporting caregivers benefits everyone. To engage caregivers advocacy, storytelling, and vulnerability are key.
MORE FOR YOU
With a forecasted labor shortage, this is especially important. To better support caregivers in the workplace, start by acknowledging what the caregiving load is.
Caregivers can advocate for their needs by explaining their caregiving loads. Kernion recommends a structure such as 鈥淚 came into this role as X, I just want you to know Y. Here is what support looks like for me鈥 if your manager does not initiate the conversation.
The goal is to share what is helpful for you. Kernion finds that this approach is more successful than caregivers anticipate. When your manager knows your support needs, they can better fulfill them.
Storytelling
As an organization, it is important to model support for caregivers. Employee Resource Groups for caregivers are a common place where people can share their stories and experiences, facilitating connection and belonging.
Some organizations host panels where employees can learn and share. Storytelling is far more memorable than statistics and figures. It helps employees not feel alone in their experience and gain insights on what others are going through, and learn from their experiences.
Kernion encourages her listeners to share their stories. 鈥淐hildren are not blank slates. They come loaded with instincts and developmental capabilities. We need to nurture wherever they are, at that point in time,鈥 Glenna Crooks said on the Inchstones Podcast.
Kernion remembers one of her clients, a man with dyslexia, who talked about his frustration and anger openly with his team. Support for him was needing more time to respond to decisions. By sharing his story, he unlocked vulnerability on the team.
Vulnerability
The goal of storytelling and advocacy is not to unload, but to provide a window into their experience. This is a part of being a leader. Kernion said, 鈥淭he best leaders lead with vulnerability. They share parts of their humanity.鈥
Leading with vulnerability around caregiving involves sharing your humanity and providing a window into your experiences. This allows team members to understand your caregiving load and recognize that they are not alone. By doing so, you foster a more empathetic and supportive work environment.
Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions