Deskless Worker Pulse 2025
Deskless Worker Pulse 2025
South Africa’s frontline is under unprecedented financial pressure. Yet their resilience endures. Drawing on insights from 4,600 deskless workers, this report unpacks the everyday realities of people who keep our economy moving.
South Africa’s frontline is under unprecedented financial pressure. Yet their resilience endures. Drawing on insights from 4,600 deskless workers, this report unpacks the everyday realities of people who keep our economy moving.
SNAPSHOT
Five stats from this year's research
A snapshot that hints at the financial pressure deskless workers are under, as well as shrinking levels of opportunity and their inherent resilience.
0%
1 in 4 people say that it’s not very possible they’ll be promoted (2024: 1 in 5)
0%
Have R500 or less saved for emergencies (2024: 71%)
0%
Cite unreliable transport as their biggest workplace stressor (2024: 33%)
0%
Run out of money every month (2024: 44%)
0%
Are motivated by the purpose of their work (2024: 35%)
0%
1 in 4 people say that it’s not very possible they’ll be promoted (2024: 1 in 5)
0%
Have R500 or less saved for emergencies (2024: 71%)
0%
Cite unreliable transport as their biggest workplace stressor (2024: 33%)
0%
Run out of money every month (2024: 44%)
0%
Are motivated by the purpose of their work (2024: 35%)
0%
1 in 4 people say that it’s not very possible they’ll be promoted (2024: 1 in 5)
0%
Have R500 or less saved for emergencies (2024: 71%)
0%
Cite unreliable transport as their biggest workplace stressor (2024: 33%)
0%
Run out of money every month (2024: 44%)
0%
Are motivated by the purpose of their work (2024: 35%)
“Recognition and appreciation goes a long way. It doesn't have to be money but even a simple certificate means a lot.”
Factory worker, male (35-44)
“Recognition and appreciation goes a long way. It doesn't have to be money but even a simple certificate means a lot.”
Factory worker, male (35-44)
“Recognition and appreciation goes a long way. It doesn't have to be money but even a simple certificate means a lot.”
Factory worker, male (35-44)
INSIGHT 1
Promotion pathways are breaking down
Deskless workers feel increasingly stuck in their jobs.
Say promotion is "very possible"
(vs 57.6% in 2024)
(vs 57.6% in 2024)
Say promotion is "not very possible"
(up from 14.5% in 2024)
(up from 14.5% in 2024)
Say promotion is "very possible"
(vs 57.6% in 2024)
(vs 57.6% in 2024)
Say promotion is "not very possible"
(up from 14.5% in 2024)
(up from 14.5% in 2024)
INSIGHT 2
Financial fragility is a daily reality
Half of deskless workers have absolutely no savings. No buffer against stress, illness or emergencies.
Half of deskless workers have absolutely no savings. No buffer against stress, illness or emergencies.
Half of deskless workers have absolutely no savings. No buffer against stress, illness or emergencies.
0%
Have no savings (vs. 44.3% in 2024)
0%
Have less than R500 saved
0%
Could not cover even one day's expenses with their savings
0%
Report financial stress (unchanged from 2024) and score 3.5/5 on how stress affects their health
0%
Have no savings (vs. 44.3% in 2024)
0%
Have less than R500 saved
0%
Could not cover even one day's expenses with their savings
0%
Report financial stress (unchanged from 2024) and score 3.5/5 on how stress affects their health
0%
Have no savings (vs. 44.3% in 2024)
0%
Have less than R500 saved
0%
Could not cover even one day's expenses with their savings
0%
Report financial stress (unchanged from 2024) and score 3.5/5 on how stress affects their health
“After three or four days, I have no money.”
– Security worker, male (35-44)
“After three or four days, I have no money.”
– Security worker, male (35-44)
“After three or four days, I have no money.”
– Security worker, male (35-44)
INSIGHT 3
Transport is the silent productivity killer
For deskless workers in South Africa, the workday doesn’t start at clock-in.
Nearly 1 in 3 deskless workers say it’s their top source of stress
Nearly 1 in 3 deskless workers say it’s their top source of stress
Accessed Jem's Earned Wages to cover transport costs
Accessed Jem's Earned Wages to cover transport costs
“Our transport allowance has been R30 for years, but petrol keeps going up every two months. Why can't the transport allowance go up? Things are very expensive now.”
– Retail worker, female (45-54)
“Our transport allowance has been R30 for years, but petrol keeps going up every two months. Why can't the transport allowance go up? Things are very expensive now.”
– Retail worker, female (45-54)
“Our transport allowance has been R30 for years, but petrol keeps going up every two months. Why can't the transport allowance go up? Things are very expensive now.”
– Retail worker, female (45-54)
INSIGHT 4
Flexible pay keeps workers out of crisis
Access to wages in the moment is often the difference between getting to work and going into debt.
The percentage of workers who used Jem’s EWA when it was available this year.
Workers who used Jem’s EWA when it was available this year.
“I do my job to the best of my abilities, because when I help a customer and they are grateful and leave with a smile, it makes the work I do worthwhile.”
– Retail worker, female (35-44)
“I do my job to the best of my abilities, because when I help a customer and they are grateful and leave with a smile, it makes the work I do worthwhile.”
– Retail worker, female (35-44)
“I do my job to the best of my abilities, because when I help a customer and they are grateful and leave with a smile, it makes the work I do worthwhile.”
– Retail worker, female (35-44)
INSIGHT 5
Work is about more than a paycheque
We asked deskless workers: "What motivates you to do your job well?" We learnt that pride and recognition matter almost as much as pay.
We asked deskless workers: "What motivates you to do your job well?" We learnt that pride and recognition matter almost as much as pay.
0%
My job makes a difference in people’s lives
0%
Earning wages to support my family
0%
Promotion potential
0%
Being part of a team
0%
Company recognition
0%
My job makes a difference in people’s lives
0%
Earning wages to support my family
0%
Promotion potential
0%
Being part of a team
0%
Company recognition
0%
My job makes a difference in people’s lives
0%
Earning wages to support my family
0%
Promotion potential
0%
Being part of a team
0%
Company recognition
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©2025 Jem HR Ltd – All Rights Reserved
visit www.jemhr.com
©2025 Jem HR Ltd – All Rights Reserved
visit www.jemhr.com
©2025 Jem HR Ltd – All Rights Reserved