| Abstract [eng] |
This case study examines the hidden struggles of employees who are full-time caregivers for children with severe and complex disabilities while pursuing demanding careers. It follows the collective story of four professional women working in different organisational contexts: a mid-size manufacturing company, a public sector institution, an SME, and a service company, each balancing relentless caregiving with workplace responsibilities. The case highlights the silence surrounding caregiving in organisations due to stigma, the emotional exhaustion of long-term care, and the structural shift that occurs when state support is withdrawn once children turn eighteen. This turning point forces caregivers to manage greater responsibilities with fewer resources, intensifying the pressure on their professional lives. In their workplaces, colleagues sometimes murmured about “favouritism,” noticing that those who frequently needed to leave earlier or take unplanned absences still received similar performance evaluations or benefits. Behind these perceptions lay a lack of clear communication and understanding, because decisions were often made informally, without transparency or explanation, leaving both caregivers and co-workers uncertain about fairness and expectations. The women behind the initiative "Nepatogūs" (which means "Uncomfortable") have launched an advocacy movement aimed at recognizing caregivers as a significant and diverse social group. This movement seeks to highlight the importance of caregivers, including both employees and leaders, who share common experiences, face systemic barriers, and have specific inclusion needs that should be acknowledged in diversity and inclusion strategies. Situated within the context of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this case provides an opportunity to analyze issues of organizational justice, workplace fairness, and the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the inclusion of caregivers. Students are encouraged to propose solutions that foster ethical and inclusive workplaces. |
