DALLAS, TX, April 15, 2026 — Caregiving shapes how work gets done, often in ways that remain invisible. The 2026 Future of Benefits Report, released today from CareBenefits by Care.com, reveals a gap between identity and reality: only 37% of employees identify as caregivers, even as many are already providing care and others expect to in the future.
There is also a clear perception gap when it comes to employee stress. While 81% of employees report moderate to high stress overall, employers estimate that just 55% of their workforce is stressed. That disconnect carries into caregiving support: just 19% of employees feel their caregiving needs are well recognized, and only 20% feel very supported.
“Caregiving is part of the infrastructure that keeps today’s workforce running, but much of it goes unseen,” said Brad Wilson, CEO of Care.com. “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.”
Highlights from the 2026 Future of Benefits Report, which surveyed 600 C-suite-level executives and HR decision-makers and 1,000 benefits-eligible employees, include:
Caregiving is shaping the workday, whether it’s acknowledged or not
Across industries and roles, employees are managing caregiving responsibilities that directly influence how and when they work.
Nearly three-quarters of millennials (74%) and more than two-thirds of Gen Z (67%) say they care for a child or will in the future, while more than half of each generation expect to care for a senior loved one. At the same time, 52% are part of, or expect to become part of, the “sandwich generation,” balancing care for both children and aging family members.
These responsibilities often remain hidden in plain sight and are silently integrated into the workday, but not formally accounted for in how work is structured or supported.
When caregiving is hard to see, it’s harder to support
The report finds that caregiving is already affecting core business outcomes, but not always in ways that are fully visible within traditional workplace systems.
- 53% of employees have missed work due to caregiving challenges
- 48% report decreased productivity due to finding or managing care
- 31% say caregiving responsibilities are the most common drain on their productivity at work
Yet despite this impact, many employees say their caregiving needs are not fully recognized or supported. Just 19% feel their caregiving needs are well recognized, and only 20% feel very supported. Manager readiness remains limited, with only 29% of employers rating managers as very prepared to support caregiving challenges.
The business implications are becoming clearer
As caregiving responsibilities grow, so do their implications for retention and workforce participation.
Nearly one in four employees (24%) say they have considered leaving the workforce due to caregiving challenges, while 23% have left a job for another employer offering better family care benefits. Additionally, 85% say there is at least one caregiving-related benefit that could influence them to switch jobs.
Employees who have access to family care benefits report meaningful improvements in their workplace experience, while those who lose access anticipate higher stress (58%), lower productivity (39%) and reduced job satisfaction (36%).
Employers are responding, with opportunity to go further
As workforce expectations evolve, many employers are actively working to adapt.
- 92% of employers and 85% of employees agree companies play a role in helping workers manage care costs
- 77% of employers are concerned about caregiving-related stress in their workforce
- Employers are six times more likely to be expanding caregiving benefits than reducing them
At the same time, a persistent awareness gap remains. While 39% of employers report offering child care benefits, only 22% of employees say they are aware those benefits are available, highlighting an opportunity to better connect employees with the support that already exists.
The full results of the 2026 Future of Benefits Report can be found here.
About the 2026 Future of Benefits Report
The 2026 Future of Benefits Report examines how caregiving is reshaping the workforce and what it means for employers. The report is based on surveys of 600 U.S. benefits decision-makers and 1,000 U.S. employees conducted in January 2026.
About Care.com
Care.com is where families go to find care and where caregivers go to find meaningful work. Since 2007, over 45 million people have turned to Care.com—across child care, senior care, adult care, pet care and housekeeping. Whether it’s a nanny for your newborn, an assisted living community for your aging loved one, or an adventure buddy for your dog’s daily strolls, we’re here to make care simpler, smarter and more personal. Through CareBenefits, Care.com also empowers over 700 companies to provide family care benefits to their employees. With HomePay, we make it easier for families to manage household taxes and payroll. Care.com is proud to be part of the PACP family.
About CareBenefits by Care.com
CareBenefits by Care.com provides employer-sponsored care solutions designed to improve workforce productivity, recruitment, retention, and well-being. Supporting more than 700 clients and 31 million working families, Care.com helps employees find, afford, and navigate care for children, aging loved ones, and more.
Because when care works, work works.
