In this episode, we sit down with Joseph B. Fuller—Harvard Business School professor and co-lead of the Managing the Future of Work initiative—to unpack what most employers are still getting wrong about caregiving and the workforce. Joe brings powerful insights, compelling research, and personal stories that shine a light on why caregiving is a business issue, not just a personal one.

From costly turnover in your top-performing talent to invisible presenteeism draining productivity, we explore the real impact of ignoring caregiving needs—and the strategic advantage of doing something about it. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or caregiving yourself, this episode is full of eye-opening data, practical solutions, and a hopeful look at where the future of work is headed. You don’t want to miss it!

Joseph B. Fuller is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School and a globally recognized expert on the future of work. He is the co-founder and co-director of Managing the Future of Work, a long-term research initiative at HBS, and the founder and co-head of Harvard’s multi-disciplinary Project on the Workforce. Joe is also a non-resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. His research focuses on workforce development, caregiving economics, AI's impact on employment, and bridging the skills gap. Before academia, he was the co-founder and CEO of Monitor Group, now part of Monitor Deloitte. He is a graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Joe Fuller explains the costly turnover driven by caregiving
[1:38] – Welcome and why supporting working caregivers matters now
[2:28] – Introducing Joe Fuller and his motivation for researching the care economy
[5:57] – Has progress been made since “The Caring Company” report?
[6:18] – Encouraging shifts in male caregiving and workplace conversations
[9:35] – Hybrid work, job design, and the need for flexibility innovation
[11:25] – Shoutout to Wellthy and the power of solutions from experience
[13:27] – The power of leadership role-modeling for caregivers
[14:22] – Differences in caregiving styles between men and women
[15:49] – Key takeaways from Joe’s “Hidden Workers: The Case for Caregivers” report
[16:38] – Why annual performance reviews miss the mark—and how to improve them
[21:08] – Building trust through real-time conversations and support groups
[22:09] – Resume gaps and how applicant tracking systems exclude caregivers
[27:29] – Making the business case for supporting working caregivers
[36:09] – The future of caregiving and the workforce: women, social skills, and AI
[44:10] – A call to action for caregivers: you're not alone
[45:34] – Where to find Joe Fuller's work and research

Links & Resources:

Joseph B. Fuller – HBS Faculty Page: hbs.edu/faculty-profile

Managing the Future of Work (Project & Podcast):

• Research & Initiatives: Managing the Future of Work
• Podcast Episodes: Managing the Future of Work Podcast

Project on Workforce – Harvard Kennedy School: pw.hks.harvard.edu

The Caring Company Report: Download the Report

Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent: Read Here

Wellthy - wellthy.com