Poverty is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects people around the world. In the workplace, poverty can have various negative impacts, including reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover. Minimising the effect of poverty in the workplace is an important goal for organisations that aim to create a fair and inclusive workplace culture. This can be achieved through various approaches, including providing fair pay and benefits, supporting skills development and career progression, and promoting work-life balance. By addressing poverty in the workplace, organisations can create a more positive and sustainable work environment for all employees and reduce poverty in society.
The effects of poverty in a work environment
To know how to minimise the effect of poverty in a work environment, it is important to understand poverty reduction and social protection in a working environment.
Poverty reduction
Poverty reduction in a working environment refers to the actions and initiatives taken by an organisation to minimise the negative effects of poverty on its employees. This can include providing fair pay and benefits, supporting skills development and career progression, and promoting work-life balance.
By taking these actions, organisations can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment that enables all employees to thrive, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Poverty reduction in a working environment is an important goal for organisations that aim to create a fair and equitable workplace culture and contribute to the broader goal of reducing poverty in society.
Social protection
Social protection in a working environment refers to the measures and policies put in place by an organisation to support the welfare and well-being of its employees.
This can include initiatives such as providing fair pay and benefits, promoting work-life balance, and offering support and resources to employees who face challenges such as illness, disability, or caring responsibilities.
Social protection in a working environment helps create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture and can contribute to employees’ overall well-being and prosperity. By providing social protection, organisations can also reduce the negative impacts of poverty and other socio-economic challenges on their employees and contribute to the broader goal of reducing poverty and promoting social justice.
When considering the factors to minimise poverty in the workplace, it is important to understand some of the contributing factors that lead to poverty.
Low wages
Low wages can have a range of negative impacts on an organisation, including:
- Reduced productivity: Employees who are paid low wages may be less motivated and less productive, as they may feel undervalued and unsupported by their employer. This can lead to a decline in overall organisational productivity.
- Higher turnover: Low wages may lead to high employee turnover, as employees may be more likely to leave for better-paying job opportunities. High turnover can be costly for an organisation, leading to increased recruitment and training costs and reduced continuity and stability in the workplace.
- Decreased morale: Low wages can lead to low morale among employees, as they may feel undervalued and unsupported by their employer. This can lead to a negative work environment, further impacting productivity and retention.
- Reputational damage: An organisation that pays low wages may be perceived as unfair or unethical, damaging its reputation and relationships with stakeholders.
Low wages can have a range of negative impacts on an organisation, including reduced productivity, higher turnover, decreased morale, and reputational damage. It is, therefore, important for organisations to pay fair wages to support the well-being and prosperity of their employees.
Job losses
Job losses can have a range of negative impacts on an organisation, including:
- Reduced productivity: Job losses can lead to a decline in overall organisational productivity, as remaining employees may be required to take on additional tasks and responsibilities, which can lead to increased workload and stress.
- Higher turnover: Job losses can lead to increased employee turnover, as remaining employees may be more likely to leave for other job opportunities in the wake of layoffs. High turnover can be costly for an organisation, as it can lead to increased recruitment and training costs and reduced continuity and stability in the workplace.
- Decreased morale: Job losses can lead to low morale among remaining employees, as they may feel uncertain about their job security and the organisation’s future. This can lead to a negative work environment, further impacting productivity and retention.
- Reputational damage: An organisation that experiences job losses may be perceived as unstable or unethical, damaging its reputation and relationships with stakeholders.
Job losses can have a range of negative impacts on an organisation, including reduced productivity, higher turnover, decreased morale, and reputational damage. Therefore, organisations must carefully manage layoffs and other job losses and provide support and resources to affected employees.
Poor worker support systems
Poor worker support systems can have a range of negative impacts on an organisation, including:
- Reduced productivity: Employees who do not have access to adequate support systems may be less productive, as they may be distracted by personal challenges or stress. This can lead to a decline in overall organisational productivity.
- Higher absenteeism: Poor worker support systems may lead to higher absenteeism, as employees may be more likely to take time off work due to stress or other personal challenges. High absenteeism can be costly for an organisation, as it can lead to reduced productivity and increased costs for temporary staffing or overtime.
- Decreased morale: Poor worker support systems can lead to low morale among employees, as they may feel unsupported or neglected by their employer. This can lead to a negative work environment, further impacting productivity and retention.
- Reputational damage: An organisation that does not provide adequate support systems for its employees may be perceived as uncaring or irresponsible, damaging its reputation and relationships with stakeholders.
Poor worker support systems can have a range of negative impacts on an organisation, including reduced productivity, higher absenteeism, decreased morale, and reputational damage. Therefore, organisations must provide adequate support systems for their employees to promote their well-being and productivity.
Minimising the effect of poverty in the workplace
After understanding what poverty in the workplace is and its causes, it is important to explore how to minimise it.
Productive employment
Productive employment refers to meaningful, sustainable work and contributes to individuals’ and communities’ overall prosperity and well-being. Productive employment can have a range of positive impacts on different practices in the workplace, including:
- Increased productivity: Productive employment can lead to increased productivity, as employees who feel fulfilled and valued in their work are more likely to be motivated and engaged. This can lead to higher levels of output and efficiency.
- Improved retention: Productive employment can lead to improved retention, as employees who feel fulfilled and valued in their work are more likely to stay with an organisation over the long term. This can reduce turnover costs and improve stability in the workplace.
- Enhanced reputation: An organisation that promotes productive employment can enhance its reputation as a responsible and ethical employer, which can help to attract and retain top talent.
- Greater innovation: Productive employment can foster a culture of innovation. Employees who feel fulfilled and valued in their work are more likely to be creative and think outside the box. This can lead to the development of new products and services and help the organisation stay competitive.
Overall, productive employment can have a range of positive impacts on different practices in the workplace, including increased productivity, improved retention, enhanced reputation, and greater innovation. By promoting productive employment, organisations can create a more positive and sustainable work environment for all employees.
Job opportunities
Job opportunities refer to the availability of employment within an organisation or community. Job opportunities can have a range of positive impacts on different practices in the workplace, including:
- Increased productivity: Job opportunities can lead to increased productivity, as employees who feel fulfilled and valued in their work are more likely to be motivated and engaged. This can lead to higher levels of output and efficiency.
- Improved retention: Job opportunities can lead to improved retention, as employees who feel fulfilled and valued in their work are more likely to stay with an organisation over the long term. This can reduce turnover costs and improve stability in the workplace.
- Enhanced reputation: An organisation that provides job opportunities can enhance its reputation as a responsible and ethical employer, which can help to attract and retain top talent.
- Greater innovation: Job opportunities can foster a culture of innovation, as employees who feel fulfilled and valued in their work are more likely to be creative and think outside the box. This can lead to developing of new products and services and help the organisation stay competitive.
Job opportunities can have a range of positive impacts on different practices in the workplace, including increased productivity, improved retention, enhanced reputation, and greater innovation. Organisations can create a more positive and sustainable work environment for all employees by providing job opportunities.
A manufacturing business in Derby recently recognised a growing problem among some of its workers: poverty. Despite working full-time, many employees struggled to make ends meet, significantly impacting their health, well-being, and overall job performance.
The company’s management team decided to take action to minimise the effects of poverty in the workplace by first understanding the problem. They conducted surveys and focus groups to gain a better understanding of the extent of the issue and the underlying causes. The results showed that many workers struggled with high levels of debt, low wages, and a lack of financial literacy.
In response, the company provided financial advice and guidance to its employees. This included partnering with local financial institutions to offer free financial literacy courses and one-on-one sessions with financial advisors to help employees better manage their finances.
The company also implemented a fair wage and benefits programme, which included higher wages and more flexible working hours. This helped to reduce the financial burden on employees, allowing them to manage their finances better and reduce their stress levels.
The effects of these actions were dramatic. Employee morale improved, and absenteeism and turnover rates decreased. The company also experienced increased productivity and efficiency, as employees could better focus on their work without being burdened by financial stress.
The company’s efforts to minimise the effects of poverty in the workplace not only had a positive impact on its employees but also its bottom line. Investing in its employees’ financial well-being created a more stable and productive workforce, ultimately leading to increased profitability and success.
This case study shows that companies can play a significant role in addressing poverty in the workplace. By understanding the problem, providing financial advice and guidance, and implementing a fair wage and benefits programme, companies can help improve their employees’ lives and create a more productive and successful workplace.
Positive Actions
In order to apply sustainable human behaviour to achieve the targets for SDG 1 (No Poverty) in the workplace, businesses can take several steps. Here are some examples:
- Implementing a fair wage policy: One of the key ways businesses can help minimise workplace poverty is by paying employees a fair wage. This includes paying a minimum wage that is in line with the cost of living and providing regular wage increases to keep pace with inflation.
- Benefits and training opportunities: Employees with benefits such as healthcare, paid time off, and retirement plans can help reduce poverty and support financial stability. Additionally, providing training and professional development opportunities can help employees to improve their skills and increase their earning potential.
- Encouraging employee involvement: By engaging employees in decision-making processes and encouraging their involvement in the company, businesses can help to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment. This can help to minimise poverty by improving job satisfaction, reducing turnover, and encouraging employees to contribute to the company’s success.
- Supporting the local community: Businesses can help minimise poverty by supporting local communities through initiatives such as job training, mentorship programs, and financial support. By working with local organisations and non-profits, businesses can help to build stronger, more sustainable communities and promote economic growth.
- Promoting work-life balance: Providing employees with flexible work arrangements and promoting work-life balance can help to reduce poverty by reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction. This can also help to improve employee retention and increase productivity.
Businesses can play a critical role in minimising poverty in the workplace by implementing fair and equitable practices, supporting the local community, and promoting sustainable human behaviour. By working together, businesses and employees can help to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for everyone.