These days, employee retention is a concern for many small businesses. Workplace Options, a provider of work/life employee benefits, hopes employers will try a new tactic to help keep workers: offering caregiving assistance.

According to a national survey commissioned by Workplace Options, about one in four employees is providing care for an older or disabled adult. Of those respondents providing geriatric care, 44 percent have missed time at work to care for their loved one. That's where Workplace Options comes in.

"Nearly half of workers polled feel it's very important for employers to provide caregiving assistance benefits to their employees," said Dean Debnam, CEO of Workplace Options. "Interestingly, employees are often less likely to discuss elder care issues than child care concerns in the workplace. Openly supporting employees who are facing elder caregiving challenges is critical to making them feel like they don't have to face the hurdles of senior care alone."

For more information on this work/life option, check out this fact sheet from Workplace Options.