Work Support & Resources
ALICE employees contend with the same struggles as higher-income workers – they have young children that
need a safe place to go while they work, ailing parents that can’t be left alone, and cars that need regular
maintenance. However, for ALICE any disruption to their delicate balancing act—a sick kid, a family crisis,
a flat tire—turns them into an employee that seemingly cannot be relied upon. What can these workers do when
they are simply without options? Some area companies are taking innovative steps to help their workers
navigate a financial or family crisis without it disrupting their ability to work. These creative solutions
are not high-cost programs, but they offer a priceless sense of security to their employees. This translates
to increased loyalty and reduced absenteeism, which benefits everyone involved. Take a look at the case
studies below to learn more about these creative concepts aimed at helping workers and improving business.
Strategy: Creatively address transportation challenges
How employers can help:
When there is a car maintenance issue, we will advance ALICE’s pay to fix her car, with a couple
of caveats: We have a trusted mechanic we have her use—I pay that mechanic directly. And then
she will pay me back over 12 or 14 weeks, or however long it takes.
Strategy: Support the needs of your workforce
How employers can help:
Customers often have a perception that they’re being taken advantage of in this industry, and
they come in with daggers. Then the person whose been working two jobs who has to get their kids
at daycare, maybe they didn’t smile when a customer came in, and all of a sudden the customer is
trashing them. There’s not a lot of empathy for ALICE workers.
Strategy: Connect employees with support services
How employers can help:
We have an employee assistance program; however I also have a pulse on my community, sharing
resources that my employees can access. 2-1-1 call center is a great community link to a whole
host of human services. Employees can get connected to supports for housing, food assistance,
mental health, and a whole host of others.
Strategy: Support caregiving employees
How employers can help:
If you have people who are exhausted, their focus is on, ‘I need to get my mother into care or
into some sort of nursing home,’ or if they have a child that has to leave school early and they
don't have anybody to watch them, that's going to impact the work that they are doing. It’s
going to impact the delivery of their product, it's going to cause errors in the work that they
are doing, and ultimately, it's going to impact the organization.
Strategy: Connect employees to free tax prep
How employers can help:
Helping employees file their tax returns, avoid predatory fees, and maximize refunds can help get them on a path to financial stability, leading to better focus and productivity at work.
