caregiving for ill dependents and its association with employee health risks and productivity this study examined the loss of productivity and health risk status associated with employees who provide care for an ill dependent a total of 16651 employees 23 response rate of a major financial services company completed a confidential health risk appraisal hra that included an eightitem version of the work limitations questionnaire and a selfreport of time missed from work during the previous 2 weeks to care for an ill dependent a total of 106 of the respondents reported an average of 77 hours absent from work during the previous 2week period to provide care for an ill dependent caregiving also was associated with a significant increase in the number of health risks for the employee as the demand for caregiving time increased caregivers reported a significant increase in work limitations caregiving for an ill dependent is associated with increased absenteeism and significant work limitations while on the job programs and work organization that helps employees balance their caregiving responsibilities for ill dependents may have a positive effect on health and productivity