Financial stress, the mental cost and a practical solution for deskless teams in cleaning and hygiene – this is how to use financial wellness to improve mental health for frontline workers in waste management
Need to increase productivity and engagement among deskless waste management employees? Financial stress could be significantly affecting your employees’ mental health.
For workers already handling physically demanding jobs, the added pressure of financial uncertainty can lead to burnout, absenteeism and reduced productivity. Addressing this issue isn’t just an act of care – it’s a strategic business move that improves overall workplace well-being and efficiency.
This is how financial stress impacts workplace wellness and a practical solution for HR teams to help improve mental health in the waste management sector.
How Financial Stress Impacts Employee Mental Health in Waste Management
Financial stress is pervasive in South Africa, where 76% of employees live paycheck to paycheck and 70% struggle to pay their bills on time. But it’s even more pronounced under deskless workers where, according to Jem HR’s 2024 Deskless Worker Pulse research, 44% of deskless workers run out of money before the end of the month and 72% say they are stressed about finances.
And it’s extremely common under waste management employees (who made up a large portion of that research), where this financial strain often combines with the physical demands of the job, creating a perfect storm for poor mental health.
Anxiety, sleep disruptions, and financial uncertainty frequently spiral into broader emotional distress, leaving employees feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.
And it impacts the business too: Financial stress leads to distractions, increased absenteeism, and reduced focus, all of which can compromise safety in this high-risk industry. Moreover, financial stress fuels higher employee turnover.
See how financial stress impacts productivity.
Earned Wage Access: A Practical Solution to Help Mental Health in Waste Management
Earned Wage Access (EWA) is an innovative employee benefit that empowers employees by giving them access to a portion of their wages before payday. Unlike traditional payday loans or advances, EWA is not a loan – it’s a zero-cost benefit for employers that supports financial well-being.
Here’s how it works:
- Employees can access their wages anytime: Employees can withdraw a portion of their earned wages to handle emergencies without waiting until payday.
- Helps them avoid debt traps: By reducing reliance on loan sharks and payday loans, EWA helps employees stay financially stable.
- Helps to ease financial anxiety: 72% of employees using EWA report feeling more in control of their finances, reducing mental stress significantly.
For deskless employees in waste management, EWA is easy to implement and use. Jem HR’s solution integrates seamlessly with payroll systems, making it simple for employees to access their wages on demand while maintaining full employer oversight.
See our guide to EWA and how to implement it in your organisation.
Proven Success Across Industries
South African companies in various industries have seen remarkable results after implementing Jem HR’s Earned Wage Access (EWA) solution.
Mukuru Eliminates Loan Requests and Reduces Absenteeism
Before EWA, Mukuru, a financial services provider, processed around 80 staff loans per month, creating an administrative burden while also reflecting employees’ financial struggles. After integrating EWA, loan requests were eliminated entirely, freeing up 96% of HR time and giving employees greater financial stability, leading to reduced absenteeism and improved focus at work.
“Now, we just send our employees to Jem when they are under financial stress. It has been such a pleasure, and our employees absolutely love it,” said Leana Pretorious, Senior Payroll Partner at Mukuru.
Lasec Group Saves Employees from Predatory Lending
Manufacturer Lasec Group had a workforce frequently turning to high-interest loan options, including loan sharks, to manage financial emergencies. Implementing Jem HR’s EWA solution, employees were empowered to access their earned wages when needed, saving Lasec employees approximately R45,000 annually in loan interest, while helping them achieve greater financial stability.
“It’s really helped them avoid loan sharks and get out of debt,” noted Allistair Gardener, HR Manager at Lasec.
Oryx Group Boosts Attendance and Financial Management
Waste management company, The Oryx Group, struggled with absenteeism and employees’ financial challenges affecting their ability to manage day-to-day expenses. Jem HR’s EWA solution proved to be a game-changer, resulting in a drastic reduction in absenteeism and better financial wellness.
“We’ve definitely improved attendance drastically with the Earned Wage Access benefit,” shared Malehloa Lesawane, Head of HR at Oryx Group.
How to Get EWA for Your Deskless Employees
Implementing EWA with Jem HR is simple, cost-free for employers, and highly effective in many industries, including to help boost mental health in waste management.
See how to implement EWA in your company and see how much you’ll save by boosting retention with our employee turnover savings calculator.
