If the corona crisis has taught us one thing, it is that poverty occurs in all walks of life. Even with Belgians you might not expect. By the way, did you know that money problems do not only affect the person in question? His environment is also affected by this. That is why it is important that we make poverty a topic of discussion and that we provide help. Your company also plays an important role in this!
What impact does poverty have in the workplace?
Does your company have employees with a poverty problem? Then you will most likely notice this in the workplace over time. After all, if your employee can barely make ends meet, this will also have an impact on their concentration and emotional state of mind. In the long term, the mental complaints can even lead to physical complaints, forcing your employee to stop working for a period of time. This not only has a negative impact on the person in question, but possibly also on the mutual relationships between colleagues. The employee may even quit after a while because of the struggles. Poverty is a source for absenteeism and higher staff turnover.
Poverty risk or poverty problem?
Know that poverty comes in many forms. It’s a complex matter. The underlying causes also differ greatly from person to person. In order to be able to correctly inform and refer your employees, it is important that you see a difference between employees with a high risk of poverty and employees with an existing poverty problem. The indicators below may indicate a higher poverty risk:
- employees who are the only breadwinners in their household;
- employees experiencing childcare problems;
- employees who have insufficient calling credit or Wi-Fi;
- employees who experience mobility problems (no car or subscription for public transport);
- employees with physical and/or mental health problems (within their family);
- employees who are housed in social housing.
How do I recognize poverty in the workplace?
During the corona crisis, wage transfers and garnishments are still possible, but since 24 December 2020, the creditor must again take into account increased thresholds. Are you as an employer contacted by a judicial officer in the context of a wage transfer of garnishment? Then you will be confronted with the facts and you have an employee with a poverty problem, but there are many alarms beforehand. The behaviors below may indicate an existing poverty or debt problem:
- employees repeatedly insist on more working hours;
- employees contact immediately if the wages are paid on day later than usual;
- employees request an advance on their wages or a loan from your company;
- employees who have problems at work (in terms of communication, concentration, self-confidence, etc.)
- employees who are absent due to private problems;
- employees who are often absent at the end of the month;
- employees who skip or only eat meals when offered by the employer (e.g. fruitbaskets, breakfast or sandwiches at morning or lunch meetings, etc.)
- employees who so not participate in social activities (staff party, lunches, birthday treats, etc.);
- employees with a varying job path;
- employees who are (digitally) low literate;
- employees who are not registered at their actual home address.
Is your company confronted with poverty in the workplace? Do the test! This signal map is an initiative of the Network against Poverty.
How can I help as an employer?
In Belgium, the supply of aid is highly fragmented. When people seek help, they experience this lack of clarity as a higher barrier. They often do not know what help they are entitled to. As an employer, do you notice poverty among your employees? Then we recommend that you inform them about these 15 helplines and 21 tips. This way you can guide them to the correct help. Share this information with all of your employees so that no one feels called out.
The longer it takes before help is called in, the greater the financial problems can become. Fast action is therefore recommended to have as many realistic solutions as possible available.
At Modero, we know that money problems can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons. We are always ready with a listening ear to find a suitable solution together with all parties involved. Need professional advice? Contact us via info@modero.be or 03 237 37 37.