This law firm added caregiving benefits — and they're already reaping the rewards

In the wake of return-to-office mandates and inflation fears, caregivers have a lot to worry about. Law firm Butler Snow is hoping to relieve some of that stress through their latest benefit addition.

The firm now provides caregiving support through Cariloop, a platform that helps members navigate child and elder care. Like most workplaces — Guardian estimates that 73% of employees have caregiving responsibilities — Butler Snow demographics revealed that a majority of its workers could use the extra help. 

"As a child of an elder parent, I found myself spending considerable time researching options for skilled nursing care for my parent post-surgery," says Dawn Anderson, chief HR officer at Butler Snow. "Instead of me pouring over websites and making endless calls to ascertain availability and capabilities, Cariloop would have taken care of that for me." 

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Cariloop offers care coaches who guide caregivers through identifying the best providers for their loved ones. Whether an employee with a neurodivergent child is looking for educational development resources, or an employee who has lost a loved one needs help with end-of-life planning, Cariloop can eliminate countless hours of research and confusion, explains Breanna Boysel, chief care officer at Cariloop. 

"Imagine an employee facing the difficult decision of transitioning an aging parent to a senior living facility," she says. "This process involves not only finding the right care setting but also navigating financial considerations, legal paperwork, and difficult family conversations. We help families weigh their options, understand costs, explore financial resources, and plan for long-term needs, allowing them to make informed care decisions."

According to a Cariloop survey, members save an average of 12 hours per caregiving challenge they're dealing with. Nearly 80% said that Cariloop helped them avoid taking PTO or unplanned leave, and 83% said the platform has reduced their stress. 

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While Butler Snow hasn't quantified the impact of Cariloop, Anderson notes that the firm is already seeing the difference. 

"We have heard testimonials from parents getting advice before attending a parent-teacher conference for a struggling child, others seeking out the right childcare options and team members utilizing Cariloop recommendations for senior living," she says. "The time saved and the reassurance of access to resources that assist in doing due diligence before making these important decisions is invaluable." 

Boysel stresses that employees cannot fully engage in their jobs if they essentially have a part-time or full-time job of trying to untangle logistical nightmares. She encourages employers to consider whether they're giving employees the tools to be at their best. 

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"Many find themselves spending hours during the workday calling providers, searching online for answers, and trying to make sense of an incredibly complex healthcare system," says Boysel. "Caregiving can be a significant responsibility that often comes on top of an employee's already full plate, creating stress that affects both their well-being and productivity." 

Anderson is confident Butler Snow made the right decision for its workforce. She challenges benefit managers to assess the demographics of their company and see just how many workers fall into the caregiver category.

"As our population ages, more individuals will find themselves juggling family demands with compounding work stress," says Anderson. "When we can take some of the pressure off by offering a resource like Cariloop, both the firm and our employees benefit."