Building Caregiver-Friendly Workplaces

Hosts Erna and Megan interview Tracy Dunbar, founder of HR Redefined, about navigating caregiving in the workplace. Tracy is a dedicated leader who strongly believes in the power of Human Resources and Talent Management to drive social justice and equity in our workplaces. With a deep commitment to creating fair and inclusive environments, Tracy strives to demonstrate what true equity and inclusion can look like every single day and leads with a set of core values that guide her approach. Sharing power and decision-making is a fundamental principle she upholds, empowering individuals to actively participate in shaping their work environment. Leading with empathy, Tracy strives to understand and support the unique needs and experiences of individuals and build solutions that meet their needs. Moreover, she is a proponent of challenging the status quo, constantly seeking innovative approaches to drive positive change. They explore the challenges faced by caregivers, the importance of creating supportive workplace policies, and the role of leadership in fostering a caregiver-friendly environment. Tracy shares her insights on the need for transparent communication, defining caregiving roles, and the balance between organizational needs and employee support. The discussion emphasizes the importance of empathy, structure, and advocacy in improving the workplace for caregivers. Tracy offers practical steps—flexible work arrangements, parental/paid leave, donated time banks, childcare options, knowledge management, cross-training, and budgeting for coverage—and emphasizes leadership courage and storytelling to normalize caregiving. The episode gives actionable advice for caregivers to speak up and for employers to build equitable, sustainable systems that support staff while maintaining performance. Links to find out more about Tracy's work: Company website: https://hr-redefined.com/ BIO: https://hr-redefined.com/about/ LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/tracydunbar Sample Work: Our Approach to Bereavement Policy