54% of Gen X Say Caregiving Fuels Workplace Burnout

The latest Gen X Caregiving Report, from resume templates service Zety, shows how heavy caregiving demands are quietly fracturing the careers and financial stability of Gen X professionals.

From coordinating medical appointments to helping adult children financially, caregiving often extends well beyond traditional expectations. Surveying over 1,000 Gen X workers, the report found that nearly 1 in 4 spend the equivalent of at least two full workdays each week on caregiving responsibilities.

The findings shed light on the significant time and emotional demands many face alongside full-time employment.

Key Findings

Time burden of caregiving: Nearly 1 in 4 (22%) spend the equivalent of at least two full workdays (16+ hours) each week providing care.
The “Sandwich Generation” squeeze: More than one-third (37%) of workers who care for aging relatives also support minor or adult children.
Caregiving creates a workplace crisis: Over half (54%) say caregiving causes stress and burnout at work, while 44% struggle to stay focused and productive.
Employer support remains limited: Three in ten (30%) say they receive little or no support from their employer for managing caregiving responsibilities.
A threat to retirement: 52% say financial responsibilities for others actively impact their ability to save for retirement, and 16% have delayed their retirement entirely.

Who Gen X is Caring For

Many Gen X professionals are providing financial or logistical support for dependents at very different stages of life, including:

Minor children (under 18) – 24%
Adult children (18+) – 23%
Parents, in-laws, or other adult relatives (e.g. grandparents) – 17%

This support can overlap. More than one-third (37%) of workers who care for aging relatives also support minor or adult children, placing them in the “sandwich generation” as they balance responsibilities across multiple generations.

Overall, nearly 1 in 5 (18%) are navigating these caregiving responsibilities without anyone else they can rely on to share the load.

The Many Forms of Caregiving

Respondents provide support in various ways, from covering living expenses to coordinating healthcare and managing household needs. The most common types of caregiving include:

Housing and daily living support, such as providing housing, groceries, and transportation – 40%
Financial support, such as paying bills, rent, or tuition – 35%
Administrative or logistical support, such as managing paperwork, finances, and scheduling – 23%
Healthcare support for an adult, such as managing appointments, medications, and insurance – 20%
Personal care for an adult, such as bathing, dressing, and mobility – 12%
Childcare, including supervising children and school drop-offs – 12%

The Second Shift: Time Spent on Care

Juggling these caregiving tasks essentially acts as a second, unpaid job for many in this generation. Gen X workers dedicate the following hours per week to their caregiving responsibilities:

15% spend less than 5 hours
16% spend 5–15 hours
10% spend 16–30 hours
12% spend more than 30 hours

The Workplace Cost of Caregiving

The effects of caregiving often extend into the workday, negatively impacting:

Stress levels and burnout – 54%
Ability to stay focused and productive during work hours – 44%
Communication and responsiveness – 42%
Interruptions during the workday, such as appointments, pickups, or emergencies – 40%
Ability to start and complete work on time – 37%
Relationships or feedback at work from managers or coworkers – 32%

Despite these challenges, 3 in 10 (30%) say they receive little or no employer support for their caregiving responsibilities.

Paying the Price for Caregiving

Caregiving responsibilities often require Gen X workers to make difficult choices between their family’s immediate needs and their own future financial security. More than half (52%) say financial responsibilities for others affect their ability to save for retirement.

Here’s what else they’ve had to sacrifice:

19% used their emergency savings
18% took on credit card debt
17% reduced their retirement contributions
16% delayed their retirement entirely
12% switched to a lower-paying, but more flexible job
10% turned down a promotion or accepted slower career growth

“Caregiving is often thought of as something people manage outside of work, but these findings show that’s rarely the case,” said 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 wellbeing and retention.”