one community’s collective approach to promote financial stability and job retention for...
TRANSCRIPT
One community’s collective approach to promote financial stability and job retention for lower-wage employees
Lisa Falcone, Working Bridges Project Director
Prepared for WFSN in Detroit, MI
11/8/13
Copyright United Way of Chittenden County
City of BurlingtonVermont’s largest city Population: 40,000
Photo by Stephen Mease
Employee experiences barrier(s) to work
Unable to connect with resources
Job performance declines
Absence and turnover
Our Emerging Model
How Life Happens:Before Working Bridges
Copyright United Way of Chittenden County
What is Working Bridges?
• A public-private, multi-sector, employer collaborative convened and managed by United Way of Chittenden County
• Focus: On business solutions—job retention and decreased absenteeism
• Strategies: Shared resources to minimize employment barriers and improve financial stability of lower-wage earners
• Employers are the innovators and testers of key strategies
Copyright United Way of Chittenden County
Scope of Working Bridges • Training for employers about economic class
• Employer Workgroup (ERN)
Changing policies and practices
• Shared On-site Resource Coordinator
• Key Strategies at workplaces
• Employee Loan/Saving Program• On-site Financial Literacy Workshops and
Coaching • On-site GED, ELL Classes • Mobile Volunteer Tax Preparation/EITC program
• Evaluation—measure retention and productivity (RBA)Copyright United Way of Chittenden County
Results: Results: The Triple Lens
• Accessing resources • Retaining jobs• Improving financial stability • Standard practice – privacy and dignity
• Low cost, highly valued employee benefit• Changing policies and practices• Retaining workers, saving turnover costs
• Understanding poverty and its impact• Benefitting from collective response• Stronger employers• More stable family incomes, local spending
Copyright United Way of Chittenden County
• Employees
• Employers
• Community
WORKING BRIDGES AT RHINO FOODS
WORKINGBRIDGES.ORG
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CONTACT: LISA FALCONE, 802-861-7825VISIT: UNITEDWAYCC.ORG
More About Working Bridges
Copyright United Way of Chittenden County