Caregiver-friendly workplace policies (CFWPs) are “deliberate organizational changes – in policies, practices, or the target culture – to reduce work-family conflict and/or support employees’ lives outside of work” (Kelly, 2008). This project is a CFWP intervention evaluation that includes an economic evaluation. There are three components to the study. Study A is an effectiveness evaluation, Study B an economic evaluation, and Study C a process evaluation. The question to be addressed by the economic evaluation is “What are the costs and consequences for workers, employers and society of the CFWP intervention?” Intervention sites are McMaster University and a second, as yet undecided, manufacturing location. The intervention will be introduced in spring 2015. A second CFWP intervention will take place in a manufacturing setting. The location and timing is yet to be determined.
•To pilot test a newly implemented CFWP intervention in two workplaces.
•To compare the health of caregiver-employees in each workplace before, during, and after the intervention to understand the impacts of the policy on health.
•To study the economic impacts of the CFWP intervention(s) in the two workplaces.
•To measure the benefits gained by the employers by implementing the intervention. Benefits may include: monies, improved performance, reduced absenteeism, improved health, decreased use of health benefits, reduced turnover, and reduced work injury/illness.
This study is of relevance to all sectors of employment where the workforce is aging, and with a large proportion of female workers. Sectors of particular interest are administration, education, health care, service sector, and manufacturing. It will be of interest to managers, and senior executives looking for best practice information to support retention of workers with family care giving responsibilities. It is also of interest to organized labour, and workers, particularly middle aged females, who are more likely to be primary care givers for family members.