The relevance of the workplace for combining employment and informal care for older adults: results of a systematic literature review

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Thomas Geisen University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Karl Krajic Working Life Research Centre, Austria

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Sibylle Nideröst University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Ingrid Mairhuber Working Life Research Centre, Austria

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Charlotte Dötig Working Life Research Centre, Austria

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Andrin Altherr University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Salome Schenk University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Reka Schweighoffer University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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The significance of formal and informal supports and barriers on the company level for combining employment and informal care for older adults has rarely been investigated. This is one of the main findings of a systematic literature review. This systematic literature review elucidates what can be learned from research on practices that have been developed to maintain a sustainable work–care balance. Research indicates that firms have rarely actively addressed the topic and many seem unaware of the challenges employees are facing and the support they need. If firms offer support, they often favour individual, case-based solutions, whereas systematic approaches seem less likely to be put in place. In general, the findings show that better support for companies and for carers would seem important, even urgent, but the knowledge base for offering this support is not well developed.

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Thomas Geisen University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Karl Krajic Working Life Research Centre, Austria

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Sibylle Nideröst University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Ingrid Mairhuber Working Life Research Centre, Austria

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Charlotte Dötig Working Life Research Centre, Austria

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Andrin Altherr University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Salome Schenk University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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Reka Schweighoffer University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland

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