Research summary
One in four Canadians now balances paid employment with unpaid caregiving for aging parents or other adults. These individuals face high stress levels, especially in sectors where workplace support is limited. As Canada Research Chair in the Care Economy, Aging and Policy, Dr. Allison Williams is advancing carer-friendly workplace policies and exploring their impact on vulnerable carer-employee groups, such as home healthcare workers, men in male-dominated sectors, and those living with depression.
She and her research team are also exploring how caregiving and work environments affect well-being. They are working on seven interlinked projects that will refine and scale up carer-friendly workplace policies, assess changes over time using national survey data, and evaluate knowledge mobilization strategies. Their work will improve the health of carer-employees, strengthen workforce retention and inclusion, and help reshape the future of work in Canada’s care economy.