A new survey reveals that caregiving responsibilities follow Gen X employees into the workplace, creating stress, productivity hurdles, and retirement delays. 

By Gillian Manning 

For many Generation X professionals, the workday doesn’t end when they log off. Instead, it continues with medical appointments, financial planning, and insurance paperwork. A survey of more than 1,000 Gen X workers conducted by Zety found that nearly one in four spend at least 16 hours every week providing care to loved ones—the equivalent of two full workdays on top of their regular jobs. 

Many respondents report finding themselves supporting multiple generations at once. According to Zety, 37% of Gen X workers caring for aging relatives also support minor or adult children, placing them firmly in the “sandwich generation.”  

And caregiving involves far more than emotional support. Of those surveyed, 40% assist with housing, groceries, and transportation; 35% provide direct financial assistance (paying bills, rent, or tuition); 23% handle administrative tasks and paperwork; and 20% manage healthcare needs such as medications and insurance. 

Zety’s report also found: 

• 54% of Gen X caregivers report experiencing stress and burnout due to their caregiving responsibilities; 

• 44% have difficulty staying focused and productive during work hours; 

• 42% report that caregiving negatively impacts their communication and responsiveness at work; 

• 40% face frequent workday interruptions, and 37% struggle to start or complete tasks on time; and 

• 16% have delayed retirement, 12% have taken lower paying but more flexible roles, and 10% have turned down promotions to maintain caregiving demands. 

“Caregiving is often thought of as something people manage outside of work, but these findings show that’s rarely the case,” says Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “For many Gen X professionals, caregiving follows them into the workplace, affecting everything from concentration and scheduling to long-term financial security. Employers who overlook these responsibilities risk missing an important driver of employee well-being and retention.”   

Looking to dive deeper? We keep an ever-growing archive of HRO Today Association member webinars. Watch now: “Maximizing Reward, Recognition, and Incentives for a Multi-generational Workforce.”