Research: Caregiver Employees Bring Unique Value to Companies: A new study shows how the act of caregiving helps people develop skills that positively impact culture, retention, and the bottom line.

This article examines how employees who provide unpaid caregiving—such as for children, elders, or individuals with disabilities—develop valuable skills that benefit companies by enhancing workplace culture, retention, and productivity. Based on research conducted by the Rutgers Center for Women in Business, caregiving cultivates three key skill sets in employees: humanity (empathy and collaboration), productivity (problem-solving and time management), and "cognitivity" (mental and emotional labor essential for organizational cohesion). These skills, often categorized as soft skills, are increasingly important for effective leadership in complex, modern workplaces and are developed largely through personal caregiving experiences. The article also highlights the importance of supporting caregivers of all genders in the workforce to foster inclusive policies and leverage their unique contributions.