OVER-INDEBTEDNESS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE
EXISTENCE OF PREVENTION AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS AT THE FEDERAL
UNIVERSITY OF ESPÍRITO SANTO (UFES)
Name: DEBORAH ZANDORMINGO CONSTANCIO
Publication date: 05/03/2026
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| DARIO DE AZEVEDO NOGUEIRA JUNIOR | Examinador Interno |
| DR. ARMANDO MANUEL BARREIROS MALHEIRO DA SILVA | Examinador Externo |
| MARGARETH VETIS ZAGANELLI | Presidente |
Summary: This qualitative study aimed to analyze the existence of institutional
actions focused on the prevention and/or treatment of over-indebtedness among
employees of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (Ufes). Between 2020 and 2025,
it was identified that, out of a total of 4,417 active employees, 2,032 had at least one
record of a payroll-deducted loan, a finding that highlights the relevance of the issue
within the institutional context. The specific objectives included analyzing the People
Development Plan (PDP), examining institutional training platforms, such as
Moocqueca, the courses offered by SEAD/Ufes, and the AVA/PROGEP platform; as
well as investigating extension initiatives promoted by PROEX related to this issue.
The study was grounded in documentary and institutional analysis, focusing on
understanding the complexity of over-indebtedness within the university context and
identifying the practices developed to address it. The results indicate that the university
develops initiatives aimed at financial education, including training activities,
workshops, and individual assistance. However, the scope of these initiatives proves
limited when compared to the magnitude of indebtedness identified among employees.
It is important to note that the analyzed data refer exclusively to payroll-deducted loans
and do not encompass other forms of indebtedness, such as those resulting from
online gambling, which suggests that the actual extent of the problem may be even
greater. It was also observed that the number of training opportunities, available
vacancies, and individual consultations conducted throughout 2025 demonstrates a
relevant institutional effort; nevertheless, it remains quantitatively modest in relation to
the number of employees with active payroll-deducted loans. Furthermore, although
institutional support mechanisms exist, no structured, specific, and interdisciplinary
actions exclusively directed toward over-indebtedness were identified. It is concluded
that Ufes develops relevant initiatives in the field of financial education and employee
support; however, it needs to expand and consolidate more systematic, integrated, and
proportionate institutional policies in response to the magnitude of the identified
problem. In this context, the technical product proposes the implementation of several
actions coordinated by an Institutional Center for the Prevention and Management of
Over-Indebtedness, to be established, with the aim of expanding and systematizing
institutional strategies for the prevention and management of over-indebtedness.
