Lack of family care costs employers $1T annually in lost productivity

Mother working with young child.

Lack of access to family costs employers an estimated $1 trillion annually in absenteeism and voluntary turnover, the 2025 Blueprint for Better Care Benefits Report from Helpr found. “There’s a care crisis in this country, and it’s putting incredible pressure on families and straining business operations,” said Kasey Edwards, CEO of the benefits provider.

Among the highlights of the report:

• Nearly half of all employees take time off for caregiving, and more than half consider quitting their jobs.
• Care benefits from employers can reduce absenteeism, with employees taking up to 16 fewer days off per year.
• Families spend almost 20% of their annual income on child care per child, forcing some parents to forgo employment.
• Eighty-six percent of working parents are more likely to stay with employers that offer care benefits.
• Non-desk, hourly and frontline workers face the greatest barriers to care.
• Fifty-one percent of the U.S. population lives in child care deserts, where there are not enough licensed or professional care options. This may force many working mothers to leave the workforce.
• Informal and family caregivers provide a $600 billion value to the economy.
• Retaining as few as 1% of eligible employees can pay the cost of care benefits.
• Every dollar spent on child care benefits provides employers with a net gain ranging from 90 cents to $4.25, which is a 425% return on investment.

Related: Child care takes center stage as more parents return to office