„C(r)ashkurs" – Schuldenprävention zur Erkennung finanzieller Probleme von Mitarbeitenden

Background
Financial stress means a high (psychological) burden for those affected and can lead to health problems and a deterioration in performance. The focus of the “C(r)ashkurs” training programme is therefore on raising the awareness of key persons (= multipliers) for the early recognition of financial problems in companies in the low-wage sector and on providing tools for supporting affected persons.
Methods
A summative impact evaluation was conducted in a pre–post design without a control group using a standardised questionnaire. Data collection and analysis was accompanied by an impact model that included the impact levels of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.
Results
After the training programme, participants have sufficient knowledge of budget and debt issues and a clearly positive attitude towards employees with debt. There was a noticeable increase in awareness of the issue in the participating companies, and participants were more motivated to support employees with financial problems. Participants offered support in debt issues slightly more often. Among other things, there were significant correlations between the knowledge of counselling and the willingness to provide support and the attitude towards employees with debts and the willingness to provide support.
Conclusion
Basic knowledge of budgeting and debt issues is central to promoting the willingness of multipliers to provide support. For the willingness to support, it is important to promote the understanding of those affected and the causes of debt. This point is even more important for companies outside the social and health sector. To disseminate the course content, participants with a wide range of management experience are important. The function of the participants as multipliers must be emphasised more clearly and underpinned with recommendations for action.