Natasha is a leading HR expert, entrepreneur, author and sought-after media commentator for outlets such as Sunrise (Channel 7), ABC Radio and The Australian Financial Review. Natasha co-founded Employee Matters in 2011 to help Australian businesses achieve success through their people.
Employee Matters Managing Director, Natasha Hawker recently shared a powerful LinkedIn post in a moment of vulnerability - it wasn't about a week from hell, it was a snapshot of her life recently. Her three children are all in early adulthood, holding down jobs and studying and like so many Sydney 'kidults', living at home but still requiring a parental helping hand on occasion. Her elderly parents are at a very critical stage, needing more care and living 2 hours away. Then there is the business she runs, that alone would take up the entirety of most people’s time. She was not blowing her own trumpet about doing it all, she is exposing a scenario that is playing out in families across the country. The people juggling all of this are called the ‘Sandwich Generation’.
This cohort (mostly women) are caught between supporting adult children, holding down a job and managing aging parents with complex needs.
While business owners like Natasha might have the autonomy to step back during a crisis, most employees do not. Thousands of workers are silently trying to deliver peak performance while carrying an overwhelming emotional, physical and mental load.
The Unseen Strength of Your Team
The people caught in this squeeze are often some of your most resilient, loyal and dedicated employees. They show up every day, balancing heavy caregiving responsibilities with professional goals, yet they rarely ask for support and you are often unaware that they are dealing with this reality.
When life demands sudden, high-stakes attention such as coordinating palliative care, managing a child's medical emergency or navigating a parent’s cognitive decline, the ‘pressure cooker effect’ is real. Without support, the emotional strain spills over, turning what should be a manageable career into an exhausting uphill battle against burnout.
Recognising these hidden carers isn't just about ticking compliance boxes under work health and safety laws; it is about honoring the incredible human beings who keep your business moving forward.
Take the First Step in Supporting Your Employees
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support to strengthen workplace wellbeing. Get the free guide to see why it matters for your organisation
Creating a culture of genuine support means moving away from token gestures and implementing structures that genuinely lighten the load. Leaders can foster a deeply supportive environment through several meaningful steps:
Champion Real Flexibility: Offer options like core working hours, remote flexibility, or compressed weeks so your team can attend medical appointments and handle family crises without the heavy burden of anxiety
Lead with Empathy and Check-Ins: Train managers to look beyond the quarterly targets and notice when someone is struggling. Approachable leaders who open the door to honest conversations make it safe for employees to seek help early
Offer Compassionate Leave Options: Provide flexible carer's leave, paid emergency days or frictionless access to accrued leave when family needs suddenly peak
Make EAPs Visible and Accessible: Actively promote Employee Assistance Programmes as a caring, normal resource rather than a corporate obligation, ensuring confidential professional support is always within reach
Break the Stigma: Create a workplace culture where talking about eldercare and parenting challenges is welcomed, assuring your team that they don't have to hide their lives outside of work
Checklist Download:
How Do I Build a Great Culture
Learn how to create and maximise a great culture in your organisation with this quick guide.
The encouragement and love we receive from our families shape who we are. When businesses wrap a supportive safety net around their people, they allow employees to show up for their families when it matters most, without having to sacrifice their own mental health or professional futures in the process.
True leadership means recognising the invisible weight your team carries and building a workplace where compassion and performance go hand in hand.
Need guidance on updating workplace policies or creating a more supportive environment for your team? Reach out to the team at Employee Matters today.
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