Workforce Management in Crisis: What Healthcare Leaders Need to Know

Home based healthcare providers are facing a dramatic shift in workforce management and care staff retention. Chronic understaffing, burnout, and organizational inefficiencies have become persistent challenges. These issues are not just operational - they affect the well-being of care staff and highlight a larger truth: the future of healthcare depends on the health and stability of our workforce.

Our latest research, featured in The 2025 Healthcare Workforce Management Report, examines the major trends reshaping the industry. Through independent research and industry analysis, we identified the most pressing workforce challenges and offer insights to help organizations build stronger systems, improve communication, increase payroll accuracy, and support a healthier work-life balance for their teams.

The Root of the Problem: Workforce Management Issues

Our research uncovered seven macro trends and five core issues that are directly impacting staff morale, driving turnover, and putting care quality at risk. Among the most urgent challenges are:

• Widespread staffing shortages with no immediate solution in sight
• Fragmented technology systems that add complexity instead of creating efficiency
• A disconnect between staff and leadership on key issues like pay, trust, and retention

These issues share a common thread: care staff are overwhelmed by administrative tasks that pull them away from patient care. Their passion lies in caregiving, yet they are burdened with impersonal, manual work that leads to frustration and burnout. To improve retention, organizations must adopt strategies that restore morale and renew purpose within their teams.

Key Findings: A Workforce Under Pressure 

Drawing on insights from nearly 650 professionals across post-acute, home-based, and long-term care settings, our report uncovers a workforce at a breaking point:

• A significant 74% of healthcare providers report current staffing shortages; 94% are bracing for ongoing or future deficits. 
• Burnout remains a pressing issue, with 72% of care staff experiencing burnout monthly and 11% are feeling burnt out daily.  
• A notable 81% of administrators face payroll errors monthly, and nearly half report experiencing three or more payroll errors each month.  
• Trust between care staff and administrators is fragile; 1 in 5 care staff indicate that a single payroll mistake would break their trust in their employer.  

How to Take Action: Building a Stronger Workforce

The takeaway is clear: solving workforce challenges requires more than filling open positions. It demands a shift in mindset, culture, and infrastructure. Here are four actions your organization can take:

• Rethink Compensation – Pay staff fairly and accurately, every time. 
• Prioritize Transparency – Build trust through clear, consistent communication. 
• Modernize Operations – Replace fragmented tech with integrated systems that work. 
• Champion Your People – Understand and address what your workforce needs to stay. 

Want to hear what industry leaders think about our findings?

Join us on June 12th for a panel webinar featuring respected voices in the industry including Kristen Wheeler, Bill Dombi, Navin Gupta, and Todd Austin.