High inflation has contributed to employees’ financial stress, as many struggle to navigate higher prices, uneven wage growth and credit card debt. According to management services company ADP, 8 in 10 employees live paycheck-to-paycheck, and 25% don’t set aside any monthly savings. When employees are stressed about their finances, they’re more likely to be distracted, less engaged and less productive at work.
The 2023 Employee Financial Wellness Survey by professional services company PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found that 1 in 3 full-time employees say financial stress has negatively impacted their productivity at work. Financially stressed employees are also twice as likely to search for other jobs, and nearly three out of four (73%) are more likely to be attracted to employers that care more about their financial well-being.
In today’s competitive business landscape, employers can use financial wellness programs to support their workforce and improve employee satisfaction, retention and productivity. This article explains the benefits of financial wellness programs and provides guidance on implementing successful programs.
The Impact of Financial Stress
Worrying about finances can negatively impact employees personally and professionally. In the past year, Employee Wellness Survey respondents said financial stress had negatively impacted them in the following ways:
- Sleep (56%)
- Mental health (55%)
- Self-esteem (50%)
- Physical health (44%)
- Relationships at home (40%)
Financially stressed employees are less likely to be engaged at work, feel a sense of belonging or recommend their employer to friends or family. As a result, organizations may experience increased turnover, reduced productivity and weakened company culture.
Understanding Financial Wellness Programs
Employers can offer financial wellness programs to help employees manage personal financial matters. These programs are designed to educate employees and help them reduce financial burdens. Financial wellness programs may include several resources, such as online education, budgeting tools, credit resources and financial coaching or counseling. Examples of common financial topics include the following:
- Retirement planning
- Investments
- Debt management
- Household budgeting
- Credit management
- Savings
- Taxes
Financial wellness programs often go hand-in-hand with organizational initiatives that promote employee well-being, encouraging healthy behaviors that can contribute to positive mental and physical health.
Benefits of Financial Wellness Programs
Employers who address employee wellness issues, such as financial stress, may experience happier, healthier and more productive employees. Financial wellness programs can benefit employers in the following ways:
- Decrease employee stress—Financial wellness programs provide employees with the tools and knowledge they need to manage their finances effectively. This can reduce employee stress, improve productivity and boost morale.
- Reduce absenteeism—Financially stressed employees are more likely to take unplanned days off. This can disrupt team dynamics and harm productivity. Financial wellness programs can help employees manage their personal finances, resulting in fewer missed days of work.
- Increase productivity—According to PwC, 56% of employees who are distracted by finances spend three hours or more per week dealing with or thinking about their personal finances at work. Financial wellness programs help employees regain control of their finances, which can create a more focused and productive work environment.
- Improve attraction and retention— According to Bank of America’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Report, 84% of employers say that offering financial wellness tools can reduce employee attrition. Furthermore, financial wellness programs are an attractive benefit that can improve employee attraction in a competitive hiring market.
Implementing Financial Wellness Programs
Traditionally, employers have offered financial support in the form of retirement plans, life insurance, and other financial and insurance benefits. However, retirement and financial benefits are just one aspect of a successful financial wellness program. To remain competitive, employers may want to consider providing a more comprehensive financial wellness program that provides employees with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to get a handle on their spending and plan for future savings. These programs may include the following aspects or components:
- Financial education, including how to budget and avoid debt
- Loan consolidation opportunities
- Tools for budgeting and tracking spending
- Mortgage assistance and home-buying advice
- Access to financial experts who can advise on investing, saving and retirement planning
- Emergency savings funds and loans
- Partnerships with financial planning organizations
- Tuition reimbursement programs
- Regular financial workshops
- Comprehensive retirement planning with employer matching
- Opportunities to buy group life insurance and other elective insurance
Employers can weigh the advantages of providing digital financial resources against the benefits of human counselors or advisors. Digital resources can provide employees with anonymous, round-the-clock access to financial education and management tools. However, humans may be more valuable to help employees understand complex financial issues and to keep employees engaged and motivated over the long term.
Conclusion
Financial wellness programs can benefit both employees and employers. These programs can provide employees with the resources they need to successfully navigate difficult financial times, manage and avoid debt and plan for retirement. Employers that successfully implement these programs may experience improved attraction, engagement, productivity and retention, which can contribute to revenue.
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