$683 billion in unpaid labor: How companies like Amazon, AARP, and Levi’s are easing the caregiving burden on women

Understanding the Caregiving Landscape

For many working mothers, daily life is a balancing act that begins at dawn and stretches late into the night. Picture a typical weekday: an alarm rings at 6 a.m., a whirlwind of morning routines ensues, and by 7 a.m., the scramble to get children ready for school is in full swing. After a day of work, it’s a race against time to pick up kids from after-school care, attend soccer practices, run errands, and tackle dinner and homework—all before collapsing into bed.

This scenario is a reality for countless women in the U.S., especially those with children under six. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in this demographic spend an average of 8.15 hours on weekdays and 10.5 hours on weekends engaged in caregiving activities. This unpaid labor, often invisible yet invaluable, is estimated to be worth $683 billion annually, as highlighted in an analysis by the National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF).

The Economic Impact of Unpaid Care Work

The staggering figure of $683 billion underscores the economic burden that caregiving places on women. Nearly two-thirds of caregiving roles are filled by women, who average about 300 hours of unpaid care work worth approximately $4,900 each year. If caregiving roles were compensated, the earnings could reach a colossal $1.1 trillion when considering contributions from both men and women.

Katherine Gallagher Robbins, a senior fellow at the NPWF, emphasizes that this estimate is conservative. The analysis used average wages for childcare workers and home health aides, which are often significantly lower than the true value of the caregiving work done. The implications of this unpaid labor extend beyond immediate financial strains; they have long-term consequences, particularly for women’s financial stability, retirement savings, and overall lifetime earnings.

The Consequences on Women’s Earnings

The dynamics of unpaid caregiving profoundly affect women's participation in the labor force. A 2025 analysis from the Urban Institute reveals that mothers lose an average of $237,000 in lifetime earnings due to the time spent on family care, which translates to about 15% of their potential earnings if they did not engage in caregiving. This loss of income has significant repercussions for future benefits, such as Social Security and retirement plans. Robbins notes, “That’s a big deal. That’s a lot of cash.”

Corporate Responses to Caregiving Strains

In response to the growing burden of caregiving, companies are beginning to implement supportive policies aimed at easing this challenge for their employees. A notable example is Levi Strauss & Company, which provides immediate access to parental leave for all employees, whether they are hourly or salaried workers. This approach contrasts with many firms that require employees to serve a probationary period before becoming eligible for such benefits.

Levi's proactive stance has earned it a spot on the NPWF’s list of companies leading in paid leave policies. The result of these measures has been significant, with higher retention rates and increased employee satisfaction, as employees feel valued and supported during critical family moments.

Innovative Benefits: A Look at PwC and AARP

In addition to parental leave, PwC has introduced “Just-in-Case” benefits, which reimburse employees up to $50 for emergency care for up to 20 weekdays and unlimited weekend days each year. This initiative has proven popular; in fiscal year 2025, employees utilized more than 8,000 backup care days, resulting in over $5 million in reimbursements. Such measures highlight the importance of providing immediate, accessible care options for employees facing unexpected family responsibilities.

Similarly, AARP offers its employees up to two weeks of paid time off to care for family members aged over 50 or those with serious health conditions. While AARP did not respond to requests for further details, the framework of their caregiving policy reflects a growing recognition of the need for support in the workplace.

Employee Advocacy: A Catalyst for Change

Many of these progressive policies emerged from employee advocacy. For instance, while working at Airbnb in Latin America, Chio Paniagua and her colleagues recognized that their American counterparts had access to benefits like egg freezing, which they sought to implement globally. This successful advocacy demonstrates how employee voices can drive policy changes that benefit workers across entire organizations.

In a similar vein, more than 1,800 Amazon employees rallied to advocate for emergency daycare assistance after witnessing colleagues resign due to childcare shortages. In response, Amazon introduced temporary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing employees with subsidized emergency child or adult care. For just $25 a day for in-center childcare or $5 per hour for at-home care, employees received crucial support during an extraordinarily challenging time.

The Role of Remote Work in Caregiving

While policies like paid leave and emergency care assistance are vital, the rise of remote and hybrid work arrangements has also played a role in shaping the landscape of caregiving. Such flexible work options can offer parents more control over their schedules, potentially reducing stress and allowing for better work-life balance. However, Robbins cautions that remote work can also exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly for workers in lower-wage jobs.

“Flexible work, in general, is a really important complement when possible to other family-supportive policies,” Robbins explains. Yet, she emphasizes that it is not a substitute for essential services such as childcare or paid family leave. Additionally, many service and healthcare workers—who often earn lower wages—do not have access to remote work opportunities, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to supporting caregivers.

Broader Implications for the Future of Work

The significant economic value of unpaid caregiving work, coupled with the challenges faced by working caregivers, calls for a systemic shift in how companies approach this issue. As the population ages and caregiving responsibilities continue to grow, businesses must adapt to meet the needs of their workforce.

To effectively address this caregiving crisis, companies can consider:

- Investing in Caregiving Infrastructure: Organizations could provide onsite childcare or partner with local services to ensure employees have access to quality care.

- Expanding Paid Leave Policies: Broader and more inclusive paid leave policies that encompass various caregiving situations can help employees feel supported in their roles both at home and in the workplace.

- Promoting Employee Advocacy: Encouraging employees to voice their needs can lead to innovative solutions and policies that genuinely reflect the challenges faced by workers.

- Creating Flexible Work Options: While remote and hybrid work can provide much-needed flexibility, companies should ensure that these options are available to all employees, regardless of their job functions.

Conclusion: The Fight for Recognition and Support

The staggering figure of $683 billion in unpaid caregiving labor serves as both a wake-up call and a call to action for companies across the United States. As organizations begin to recognize the value of caregiving and the impact it has on their workforce, innovative policies and supportive measures will be essential in cultivating a more equitable work environment.

Women, who bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities, are often at risk of losing opportunities and financial stability. It is imperative for businesses to step up and create a culture that values caregiving labor and supports working families. Only through collective action—both from employees and employers—can we hope to address the profound challenges posed by caregiving in today’s economy.

Source: https://fortune.com/2026/03/12/683-billion-unpaid-labor-women-moms-amazon-aarp-levis-benefits-caregiving/