Caring Responsibilities as a Career Hindrance of Mature People: Evidence from an International Survey

Abstract

Purpose: Career hindrance and development limitations among mature people who take care of others – the assessment of phenomenon. Design/Methodology/Approach: Proprietary CAWI questionnaire was used. Research was conducted in 5 European countries with different welfare state regimes. The respondents were 45-65 years old. The sample comprised 2.522 people, including 634 participants who work and provide care at the same time. The data analysis methods included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and logistic regression. Findings: The conducted research made it possible to assess the phenomenon of combining professional work and taking care of dependent people in the countries covered by the research. The analysis of the research results allowed us to determine the percentage of those working and taking care of dependent people at the same time who claim that this is a barrier to the development of their professional career and improving their competences as part of potential lifelong learning activities. Additionally, the research results delivered information on the socio-economic characteristics that contribute to limiting the possibilities of competence development among working carers of dependent people. Practical Implications: The distinguished socio-economic characteristics and their impact on hindering the career and development opportunities of working carers of dependent people can be used in the area of diversity management in the workplace. The results can be used to develop recommendations for people managing the team, regarding, among others, generational differentiation. Originality/Value: The conducted research on the assessment of the impact of combining professional work and caring responsibilities on the hindrance of career development and limitation of development opportunities is unique.