Supporting Working Caregivers: Balancing Family and Productivity with James Atkinson
Eps. #139 SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2025
In this episode of the HR Mixtape, host Shari Simpson sits down with James Atkinson, Vice President of Thought Leadership for the Society of Human Resource Management. They delve into the pressing issue of working caregivers, a topic that has gained urgency as over 50 million individuals balance professional responsibilities with caregiving for children, adults with chronic conditions, and the elderly. This conversation is particularly insightful as it highlights the evolving landscape of employee experience and the need for inclusive leadership in supporting caregivers, especially in light of the ongoing shifts in workforce demographics.
Listener Takeaways:
Learn how to identify the unique needs of caregivers within your organization.
Discover why flexibility in workplace policies can enhance productivity and retention.
Explore strategies for embedding a culture of support that benefits all employees.
Hit “Play” to gain valuable insights on how to better support working caregivers in your organization!
Guest(s): James Atkinson, Vice President of Thought Leadership, Society of Human Resource Management
Guest(s): James Atkinson, Vice President of Thought Leadership, Society of Human Resource Management
James Atkinson is the VP, Thought Leadership at SHRM, where he leads research teams uncovering key insights on the challenges and trends affecting HR and the workplace. James joined SHRM with more than 15 years of research, data, and product experience, having spent a decade in various leadership roles within the HR industry.
Prior to SHRM, James was the Vice President of Data Products at Payscale, where he was responsible for the overall strategy, development, and delivery of data products for compensation professionals. He also spent 9 years at Gartner, finishing his tenure there as the Managing Vice President of Data Products for the HR research and advisory practice.
Across his career, his teams have created award-winning research and data products for HR executives and their teams on topics including learning and development, total rewards, recruiting, talent management, HR strategy, HR technology, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This work has been featured in top business journals and media outlets such as Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.
James holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Ohio State University.
