In this powerful episode, we sit down with Rhonda Klug from Harry & David to talk about the often invisible and deeply personal journey of working caregivers. From supporting her parents through dialysis and COPD to leading real cultural change within her organization, Rhonda shares her firsthand experience that sparked a company-wide movement of support and empathy. She takes us behind the scenes of how Harry & David and the broader 1-800-Flowers family are creating a more compassionate workplace for employees who are balancing caregiving responsibilities with their careers.

We explore how Rhonda transformed her lived experience into a catalyst for creating CARE (Caregivers and Allies Responding with Empathy), an Employee Resource Group (ERG) that is reshaping how caregiving is understood and supported in the workplace. If you're an employer wondering how to retain and uplift your caregiving employees—or you're a caregiver looking for inspiration on how to advocate for yourself—this is the episode for you.

Episode Highlights:

[2:12] – Meet Rhonda Klug of Harry & David: Her background and caregiving connection.
[3:23] – Rhonda shares her emotional journey as a caregiver for both her parents.
[7:12] – How personal caregiving shaped her awareness of employee needs.
[9:24] – The pivotal moment at the Care Colloquium that sparked a corporate movement.
[12:50] – Why storytelling from leadership is essential in changing culture.
[15:48] – Turning insight into action: Creating a caregiver-focused ERG.
[18:50] – Innovative benefits like Talkspace and Torchlight to support employees.
[20:23] – Practical tips for managers and employees to foster communication.
[24:29] – Encouraging employees to self-identify and seek support.
[26:30] – Real-life impact: Preventing turnover and boosting retention through flexibility.
[28:50] – The ripple effect: How leadership empathy transforms company culture.

Links & Resources:

• Talkspace – Mental health support platform used by Harry & David employees
• Torchlight – Caregiving resource platform Rhonda mentions
• Celebrations Chatter Podcast by Jim McCann and interview with us
• Celebrations Pulse Newsletter by Jim McCann
• Care Colloquium – The conference that sparked Rhonda’s caregiving leadership journey and Facebook Group
• Debbie Howard – Aging Matters International – Caregiving strategy consultant
• Harry & David: https://www.harryanddavid.com/
• Crater Lake: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
• Benefits Alliance Connect Conference 2024: https://benefitsalliance.ca/event/connect-conference-2024

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review. Remember to check out our website at invisibleemployeeadvocates.com for more resources, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates! We’ll catch you in the next episode.