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These workers needed a safety net. There’s an app for that : NPR
NPR • • business
Key Points:
- Escalate is a startup created by nonprofit veterans Sienna Daniel and Sean Segal, offering an employee support app that provides last-minute assistance like Uber vouchers, grocery gift cards, and childcare support to reduce absenteeism among low-wage workers.
- The app was piloted at seven McDonald's locations in suburban Washington, D.C., where it helped employees overcome transportation and emergency challenges, significantly reducing callouts and improving employee retention.
- The McDonald's franchise estimates the app saved about $35,000 monthly in callout costs, with the company now paying $250 per store monthly plus voucher expenses, while Escalate uses overseas coaches and AI to keep costs low.
- Escalate limits employee requests to three per month and offers coaching to address ongoing challenges, maintaining confidentiality to build trust and prevent abuse of the system.
- Following successful results, Escalate is expanding to other industries and McDonald's franchises, with plans to promote the program widely as a demonstration of employer care and support for workers.
