Protecting the health of employees caring for family members with special health care needs

► Most US adults caring for a family member with a chronic health condition are employed. ► Research has not explored how the work environment mediates the known effects of caregiving on health and well-being. ► We find that paid leave and having a supportive supervisor substantially offset the negative effects of caregiving. ► Work policies that support caregivers' health increase their ability to provide care and improve care recipients' outcomes.