Leveraging Caregivers’ Unique Skillset to Increase Retention
More than 20 million workers are caring for an adult over the age of 65, and the majority have made changes at work including switching to a less demanding job, taking time off, or quitting in order to accommodate caregiving. Liz O’Donnell, who cared for four family members while juggling a high-pressure job, will share her perspective on how to create a culture that supports and retains workers with elder care responsibilities and why you should.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the impact of our rapidly aging society on the workforce and the need to address how elder care will impact employers.
- Gain insight, through a combination of personal narrative and research, into the challenges of working caregivers.
- Identify the unique skill sets of family caregivers and how to harness them in the workplace.
- Identify ways to create a caring culture that supports and retains family caregivers.
Liz O'Donnell
Liz is the founder of Working Daughter, a community for women balancing eldercare, career, and more. An award-winning writer, she is the author of two books, Working Daughter: A Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parents While Earning A Living, which Library Journal named one of the Best Books of 2019, and Mogul, Mom & Maid: The Balancing Act of the Modern Woman. Ozy Media recognized her as a "rising star" for advancing the conversation on career and caregiving.
A former family caregiver, she is a recognized expert on working while caregiving and has written on the topic for many outlets including The Atlantic, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, TIME, WBUR and PBS’ Next Avenue and has delivered keynotes on the topic to many audiences including Harvard University, MIT, the Marketing to Moms Conference, and the Women Leading Government Conference.
A long-time marketing executive and working mother, she is active in her community and committed to supporting other women. Liz cofounded SheStarts, an organization for women entrepreneurs, and Women In Democracy-Dedham, a non-partisan group that seeks to engage more women in local politics.