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CREDIT MANAGEMENT How Does Debt Affect Your Job By Wasilwa Miriongi I f you look at the financial reports from the banking institutions, Non- Performing asset carries a very big portion most of this is as a result of debts carried by individuals or so called unsecured loans. You will realize a general aspect of non-performing loans taken from this quote “Commercial banks operating in Kenya collectively posted a 5.65% rise in profit before tax to Sh81.2 Billion in the six months to June 2016 compared to Sh 76.9 Billion posted in June last year. Despite the profits, the sector recorded an 8.4% increase in Non Performing loans to Sh 190 Billion” quoting the central bank governor. Incurring Debts usually falls in the following two categories Unavoidable Debt In certain instances, it is impossible for individuals to avoid debt due to differing circumstances. There are times when an unexpected change causes difficulties in paying off old debt commitments. Avoidable Debt For everyone that has accrued unavoidable debts, there is likely to be 10 who are in over their heads in debt that could have been avoided. These are people who have relied on credit cards or Mobile loans to stretch their income a little further, but over time with the help of excessive credit card and Mobile loans interest rates and Debt impacts on productivity and performance because the fallacy that we should not bring our problems to our workplace is unrealistic. We are all human and we cannot stop ourselves from hav- ing a lack of concentration in the workplace, when we are inundated with bank calls for overdue ac- counts. Companies can shirk the responsibility as much as they wish, but the harsh realities exist and unless they are willing participants to sup- port their staff with this form of enlightenment, they cannot expect to achieve their desired goals and deliverables. 62 MAL21/17 ISSUE late fee charges, found that they were suddenly having difficulty keeping up with all of their expenses. Many people use credit or take mobile loans when they don’t have cash available and don’t take the time to consider how long it will take to pay off that impulse purchase. Carrying a lot of debt can wreak havoc on one’s personal life, and it can also have an impact on your work life. From limiting the kinds of jobs one can accept to influencing how their employer views them, debt can create many kinds of challenges in the workplace. Being proactive about one’s debt can save them from all kinds of hassles on the job, and brighten their job prospects as well. Many people worry that getting debt advice or choosing a certain debt solution will affect their job. They fear that having a poor credit rating