Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Caroline van der Merwe, co-founder and chief product officer at Jem HR
11 December 2024 - 16:10
by Mudiwa Gavaza
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Caroline van der Merwe is co-founder and chief product officer at Jem HR. Picture: SUPPLIED
The challenges and rewards of deskless work in SA is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight.
Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Caroline van der Merwe, co-founder and chief product officer at Jem HR.
According to a recent report by Jem, deskless workers represent 75% of SA’s workforce, filling roles in the food, hygiene, security, logistics, retail and other sectors.
Jem is a specialist human resources firm offering WhatsApp-based HR and employee benefits platforms for deskless workers.
The firm’s platform has 140,000 users across 140+ companies, digitising payroll, leave management, time sheets, and earned wage access.
Join the discussion:
It’s corporate clients include Securitas, Edgars and KFC.
According to Van der Merwe, while employers might not be in a position to offer wage increases, there are other measures they can adopt.
“One option is earned wage access (EWA), which gives employees early access to wages they have already earned,” she says. “Over 70% of deskless workers who have access to EWA said that since it was introduced, they no longer take out payday loans or visit loan sharks. And 72% said they worry about money and finances much less.
Jem’s study found that:
— 98% of deskless workers reported enjoying their jobs.
— Unreliable transport is a major stressor for these workers.
— Most report low wages, earning between R5,000 and R10,000 a month.
— Half report finishing their salaries before payday, 44% have no emergency savings and 72% report that financial pressure affects their mental health.
Through the discussion, Van der Merwe outlines the state of deskless work in SA; findings from Jem’s latest study on deskless work trends; challenges faced by organisation in catering to their workforces; and the place of WhatsApp as a communication channel for employees.
Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
BUSINESS DAY SPOTLIGHT
PODCAST | The plight of SA’s deskless workforce
Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Caroline van der Merwe, co-founder and chief product officer at Jem HR
The challenges and rewards of deskless work in SA is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight.
Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Caroline van der Merwe, co-founder and chief product officer at Jem HR.
According to a recent report by Jem, deskless workers represent 75% of SA’s workforce, filling roles in the food, hygiene, security, logistics, retail and other sectors.
Jem is a specialist human resources firm offering WhatsApp-based HR and employee benefits platforms for deskless workers.
The firm’s platform has 140,000 users across 140+ companies, digitising payroll, leave management, time sheets, and earned wage access.
Join the discussion:
It’s corporate clients include Securitas, Edgars and KFC.
According to Van der Merwe, while employers might not be in a position to offer wage increases, there are other measures they can adopt.
“One option is earned wage access (EWA), which gives employees early access to wages they have already earned,” she says. “Over 70% of deskless workers who have access to EWA said that since it was introduced, they no longer take out payday loans or visit loan sharks. And 72% said they worry about money and finances much less.
Jem’s study found that:
— 98% of deskless workers reported enjoying their jobs.
— Unreliable transport is a major stressor for these workers.
— Most report low wages, earning between R5,000 and R10,000 a month.
— Half report finishing their salaries before payday, 44% have no emergency savings and 72% report that financial pressure affects their mental health.
Through the discussion, Van der Merwe outlines the state of deskless work in SA; findings from Jem’s latest study on deskless work trends; challenges faced by organisation in catering to their workforces; and the place of WhatsApp as a communication channel for employees.
Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
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