INTERVIEW WITH MELISSA FISHER OF KAISER PERMENENTE ON CAREGIVING IN THE WORKPLACE AND EMPLOYEE WELLNESS MONTH

Welcome to our 2^ND June episode of “Caregiving Club On Air” podcast (S6, Ep 72) hosted by Sherri Snelling, corporate gerontologist, author and CEO of the Caregiving Club.

On this episode we are highlighting June’s Employee Wellness Month and specifically focusing on employees who are also caregivers with Melissa Fisher of Kaiser Permanente, who is both a caregiver and an advocate for caregivers at work.

Currently 63 million Americans are caring for an adult loved one – persons over age 18 – and 7 in 10 are also juggling job responsibilities. In the workplace, 1 in 5 employees are also family caregivers of adults and if you add children then 1 in 3 employees are caring for loved ones of all ages. Many of these are what we call the “Sandwich Generation” caring for children while simultaneously caring for older parents or grandparents and all while achieving this balancing act while working.

Sherri was recently on a panel discussion hosted by the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) for employer HR executives on caregiving in the workplace and met fellow panelist, Melissa Fisher of Kaiser Permanente. She asked Melissa to come on the podcast to talk about her personal caregiver journey while working – caring for parents, a beloved aunt and also parenting her children. Her insights on what is needed from employers is important for all employees but especially those who are also family caregivers.

Sherri and Melissa discuss:

• How employers can support caregivers – what benefits or programs Melissa found most helpful but also what she wished you had access to

• Her workplace plus Sandwich Generation experience led Melissa to start “Care Partner Care” at Kaiser Permanente – she tells us about this program and how it helps caregivers in their workplace

• Sherri mentioned that some caregivers feel that going to work is a respite break from the challenges and burnout of caring for a loved one – it gives the caregiver back a sense of control they don’t experience in caregiving. Melissa agreed and explained her thoughts on how work can be a haven
  
  
• When it comes to workplaces and employees who are caregiving – Sherri and Melissa discuss what they hope to see change in the workplace over the next 5 years when we will have more parents than children to care for in this country.

Key Takeaways about Employer Resource Groups and Caregiver Support in the Workplace

Many companise are experiencing an increase in Employer Resource Groups (ERGs), also known as Business Resource Groups (BRGs) and affinity groups, that focus on lifespan caregiving – from parenting to senior care. Following is a link to Sherri’s article for HR leaders on the powerful influence and benefit of having a Caregiving-Focused ERG, as well as statistics from different studies that show why caregiving ERGs on growing in the workplace.

How a caregiving ERG can help your company attract and retain talent – article by Sherri Snelling

• 1 in 5 employees is caring for an older parent or in-law or even grandparent 
• 1 in 3 is caring for a child or older parents
• 28% are the Sandwich Generation is caring for both at the same time
• 60% of employees said caregiving increases their stress at work
• 40% of employers are aware their employees need caregiving support
• 50% of employees who are also caregivers say their direct supervisor or boss is unaware of their caregiving struggles
• A 2026 Care.com survey found only 20% of employees feel “very supported” when caregiving needs affect their work

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RESOURCE LINKS

National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC)

“Elder Care Locator – eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116 (help finding local resources)

“Self-Care in 7 Minutes” Wellness Hack Video Series

Click here to find out where to buy Sherri’s Me Time Monday book and learn more about the workshops

Sherri’s Me Time Monday book GoodReads page

Sherri’s articles related to this episode

Caregiving In the Workplace

Caregiving Redefined – How the Gen C Continuum Reflects a New Era of Care (LinkedIn blog)

The future of caregiving in the workplace: From a benefits checklist to a culture change (Care for Business article)

Why lifespan caregiving is reshaping the workforce (Care for Business article)

Caregiver training for managers: How it improves retention, culture & productivity (Care for Business article)

Mental Health in the Workplace Benefits Employees (PBS Next Avenue)

Workplace Caregiving: One Size Does Not Fit All (PBS Next Avenue)

Caregiver Wellness

Finding Happiness As a Caregiver (Forbes)

Happiness article (Spanish translation for Univision)

Lessons From The World’s Longest Study On Happiness (PBS Next Avenue)

9 Ways Caregivers Can Get a Free Respite Break (PBS Next Avenue)

How Mondays Can Help Caregivers to Overcome Loneliness and Improve Health (Epoch Times)

How family caregivers can use a Monday routine to reset self-care (Considerable)