In this inaugural episode of Working Caregivers, The Invisible Employees, we are thrilled to welcome an incredible guest, Donna Thomson. Donna is a caregiver, educator, advocate, and co-author of The Unexpected Journey of Caring. She shares her personal caregiving journey and the powerful transformation that occurs when you become a caregiver. We dive deep into the challenges of caregiving, the impact on the workforce, and the need for employers to create caregiver-friendly workplaces.
Donna discusses the importance of flexibility and compassion in the workplace, offering practical insights on how leaders can support their employees who are also caregivers. We explore key topics from Donna’s book and learn how caregiving is not just about managing tasks—it’s about embracing personal transformation and understanding the value of care.
Episode Highlights:
[2:04] Donna Thomson's Background and Books
[4:25] "The Unexpected Journey of Caring"
[10:09] Challenges and Questions for Working Caregivers
[13:52] Employer Perspective and Business Leaders
[17:33] Resources and Support for Caregivers
[22:40] Caregiving in Canada and North America
[26:21] Final Advice and Contact Information
Links & Resources:

• Donna Thomson's website: https://www.donnathomson.com/
• Donna on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna4walls/
• The Unexpected Journey of Caring Authors Donna Thomson and Zachary White
• The Four Walls of My Freedom
• Creating Caregiver-Friendly Workplaces - Free course by McMaster University Continuing Education: https://continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs/health-social-services/creating-caregiver-friendly-workplaces/

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Did you know that in 2020 there were 53 million caregivers in the United States? By 2025, this number is expected to significantly expand to 62.5 million. 73% of these individuals have to juggle the responsibilities of working a job while being a caregiver. They are called “working caregivers” and are often referred to as “invisible” because they typically remain silent about their caregiving challenges. Nor do they seek help from their colleagues at work or their managers, choosing to face alone the negative financial, physical, mental and emotional impacts that being a working caregiver often presents.

Employers, you have a tremendous opportunity to support the working caregivers in your workforce. "Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees" is a podcast that will show you how. Hosted by Selma Archer and Zack Demopoulos, authors of a book with the same name, this series dives deep into the challenges and opportunities faced by working caregivers and their employers.

Whether you are in the C-suite, a leader, HR, or a working caregiver yourself, "Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees" is a podcast for you. We address the pressing issues of retaining talent, managing productivity, and creating a supportive workplace culture. Learn how to provide meaningful benefits, understand the costs and implications of caregiving on healthcare, and foster an environment that values and supports your employees through their caregiving journey. We can all help make meaningful differences in the lives of employees who work and care for others.

Tune in every other Wednesday to gain insights, practical tips, and heartfelt discussions that aim to solve the unique problems working caregivers encounter. Don’t forget to visit our website, invisibleemployeeadvocates.com, to subscribe to our newsletter, and purchase our book to learn how we can help you strengthen your workplace to become more supportive of working caregivers.