When the Poverty Index survey was launched at Peninsula Papagayo in June 2024, few anticipated the ripple effect it would have. Out of nearly 1,300 employees, 894 responded—an overwhelming 70% participation rate that revealed more than just numbers. It painted a stark picture of the financial, educational, and emotional challenges many employees quietly faced.
Despite years of dedicated service, many employees struggled to cover basic living expenses. Their stories mirrored one another: rising costs, limited educational opportunities, and mounting debt. But unlike most corporate surveys, this one didn’t end in a forgotten report.
Turning Data Into Action
In September of last year, just three months after the survey, the company hired Vivian Villalta, a dedicated social worker, to sift through the data and meet with employees facing challenges. She then developed a comprehensive action plan aimed at addressing the core issues identified in the survey.
“It wasn’t just about gathering information,” said Susana Vicente, who oversees the initiative. “We wanted to make real, tangible changes based on what our employees told us.”
A Multifaceted Approach
The action plan spans five key areas: social advisory, education, finance, work, and mental health. It’s ambitious, but the early signs suggest it’s making a difference.
Employees will receive guidance through applications for social housing and pension benefits, offering lifelines they didn’t know existed. But the support will not stop there.
Encouraged by this program, many applied for high school scholarships—with 15 awarded—and are now on track to graduate by the end of 2025. Others are taking advantage of English classes, boosting their confidence and opening new career opportunities.
Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship
Financial stress was another common theme from the survey. For those with over 50% of their salary tied up in debt, the company’s Financial Health Week and literacy workshops will be game-changers. Employees will learn how to budget, manage their debts, and even receive legal advice to resolve longstanding salary garnishments.
Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
Mental health, often a taboo subject in many workplaces, will also take center stage in the action plan. Psychological support sessions, communication campaigns, and wellness workshops aim to reach a majority of the workforce, helping employees cope with stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
A Blueprint for Change
By the end of 2025, Peninsula Papagyo aims to have closed 25% of the poverty indicators identified in the survey. But for many employees, the transformation is already evident.
“I feel like I have a future now,” one employee shared. “This program didn’t just help me—it changed my life.”
The Poverty Index Action Plan at Peninsula Papagayo may have started as a corporate initiative, but it’s quickly becoming a model for how businesses can address socioeconomic challenges within their communities. And for the hundreds of employees who participated in the survey, it’s a sign that their voices were not only heard—but acted upon.