How to financially support your employees: The ultimate guide

Take a second to think back to high school. Does Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ring a bell? As humans, our basic physiological necessities come first, but right behind is the human need for safety and security, including financial security.

Money worries keep employees up at night and affect their wellbeing and performance. Ignoring financial crises doesn’t just hurt employees, it hurts organizations.

As leaders, there’s both an obligation and opportunity: providing the financial security people need while driving growth for them as individuals and the company. This win-win is possible through compassionate solutions tailored to each employee’s unique needs.

Our CEO, Pete, often emphasizes that increasing salaries is rarely enough. While raises temporarily ease stresses, they fail to address complex root causes of financial instability.

The reality is 60% of employed adults, including 4 out of 10 high-income earners, live paycheck to paycheck, according to a recent LendingClub survey. It’s common to need help with money these days.

But there is good news. More effective solutions exist when leaders show compassion. By listening, understanding unique burdens, and replacing money worries with empowering financial stability, leaders help employees thrive.

Importance of employee financial support

Providing financial support and resources to employees will significantly impact recruitment, retention, engagement, and productivity. Employees who feel financially secure are less stressed, miss less work, and focus more on their job duties. Offering competitive pay, attractive benefits, retirement plans, discounted products or services, and other financial incentives demonstrates an employer’s investment in their staff. This support will boost loyalty, morale, and workplace culture.

A comprehensive financial wellbeing offering that addresses immediate employee needs is crucial for tackling current financial pressures.

Understanding the Impact of Financial Stress on Employees

Financial stress can have a profound impact on employees’ mental and physical health, leading to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and presenteeism. According to a study, 1 in 5 employees report that money worries are affecting their ability to perform at work. This financial stress can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Employers must recognize the importance of financial wellbeing support to mitigate these effects and create a healthy work environment. By addressing financial stress, employers can help improve employees’ overall wellbeing, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce. Providing financial wellbeing support is not just a compassionate gesture; it’s a strategic move to foster a healthier, happier, and more resilient team.

Understanding Financial Wellbeing

Financial wellbeing is a crucial aspect of an individual’s overall wellbeing, encompassing their financial security, financial stability, and freedom. It is the ability to manage one’s finances effectively, make informed decisions, and achieve long-term financial goals. Financial wellbeing is not just about having a certain amount of money; it’s about feeling confident, secure, and in control of one’s financial situation.

Financial wellbeing is closely linked to mental health, with financial stress being a significant contributor to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Poor financial wellbeing can also impact physical health, relationships, and overall quality of life. On the other hand, good financial wellbeing can lead to increased employee engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction.

Employers play a vital role in supporting their employees’ financial wellbeing by providing access to financial education, resources, and benefits. By doing so, they can help reduce financial stress, improve employee health, and increase overall wellbeing.

The Business Case for Financial Wellbeing Support

Providing financial wellbeing support is not only a moral imperative but also a sound business strategy. Research has consistently linked financial health to both employee wellbeing and performance. When employees are financially secure, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and loyal to their employer.

By offering financial wellbeing support, employers can improve employee engagement, reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, and increase productivity. Moreover, financial wellbeing support can lead to increased employee retention, reduced turnover costs, and an enhanced employer brand reputation. In essence, investing in employees’ financial health is an investment in the overall success and sustainability of the organization.

Developing a Financial Wellbeing Policy

Developing a financial wellbeing policy is essential for employers who want to support their employees’ financial wellbeing. A well-designed policy can help reduce financial stress, improve employee engagement, and increase productivity.

To develop an effective financial wellbeing policy, employers should follow these steps:

1. Conduct a financial wellbeing survey to understand the financial concerns and needs of their employees.
2. Identify the key areas of financial wellbeing that the policy will address, such as financial education, financial assistance, and employee benefits.
3. Develop a comprehensive policy that outlines the employer’s commitment to supporting employees’ financial wellbeing.
4. Provide access to financial education and resources, such as workshops, webinars, and online tools.
5. Offer financial assistance programs, such as emergency loans, financial counseling, and employee assistance programs.
6. Review and update the policy regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

A financial wellbeing policy should be tailored to the specific needs of the organization and its employees. It should be communicated clearly and consistently to all employees, and should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains effective.

Challenges in providing financial support for employees facing financial stress

However, providing meaningful financial support for employees does come with some difficulties that leaders need to address thoughtfully:

• Securing buy-in for expanded pay and benefits can be hard, especially for budget-conscious small businesses.
• Creating comprehensive yet understandable financial wellness initiatives requires substantial effort and expertise.
• Ensuring equal access for diverse groups means applying an inclusion lens.
• Staying competitive demands keeping up with trends in the job market.
• Measuring returns of investing in talent can be complicated.
• Navigating personal privacy regulations also poses challenges.
• Addressing financial challenges during significant life events, such as further education or home purchases, is crucial.

It’s possible to overcome these obstacles with proper planning. Leaders who do so will reap rewards in performance, retention, recruitment, and employee morale.

How to provide financial wellbeing support for your employees' needs

Employers have an important role in assisting with employees’ financial health beyond compensation. Companies can support the financial well-being of their workforce in various ways. Doing so demonstrates a commitment to employees as whole people with lives and responsibilities outside of work. Supportive employer policies related to time off, benefits packages, continuing education, and more can greatly relieve some of the financial strain today’s workers face. Additionally, providing financial wellness support can further enhance employee engagement and workplace culture.

Now, let’s explore five impactful ways business leaders can assist when employees face financial hardship. Even small gestures can make a big, human-centric difference.

5 ways to financially support your employees: 

1. Financial literacy education and 1:1 financial coaching:

There are several ways to offer financial education to your employees. Some of these methods include hosting webinars, hosting workshops, and inviting financial experts for lunch and learn sessions, etc. Providing your employees with ongoing education in financial literacy will help them understand budgeting, saving, and managing debt. It will also enable them to develop good habits and feel less stressed.

1:1 financial coaching provides a personalized approach to guide employees’ financial planning. Employees receive tailored advice and support in achieving their financial goals by offering individualized sessions with a financial expert. This approach helps employees better understand their finances, make informed decisions, and develop a sustainable financial plan. Additionally, it will lead to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty and better overall financial wellness for the workforce.

2. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs):

Healthcare expenses are a significant financial burden sometimes. By offering FSAs or HSAs, your employees can pay for medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. This not only helps in managing healthcare costs but also effectively increases their disposable income.

3. Retirement planning and contributions:

One of the best long-term financial supports you can offer is helping employees plan for retirement. Whether through a 401(k) plan with company matching or providing resources for retirement planning, these efforts show that you're invested in their future. It also encourages employees to think long-term about their finances, which leads to more stability.

4. Access to financial tools and resources:

Access to financial tools and resources is more helpful for employees than just providing them with money. Sometimes, the issue is not the lack of money but the need for proper financial management. By providing access to budgeting tools, financial tracking apps, or low-cost financial advisory services, employees will better understand where their money is going and find ways to save or invest more effectively. These resources make a huge difference in improving the financial situation of employees.

5. Creating a supportive work culture:

Lastly, creating an environment where employees feel comfortable talking about money problems and asking for help is super important. This could mean having regular catch-ups, forming support groups with colleagues, or simply being open to discussing financial concerns whenever they arise. When employees know there's someone they can turn to for support, it can make a huge difference in reducing stress and boosting morale.

Employee Benefits and Financial Assistance Programs

Employers can offer a variety of employee benefits and financial assistance programs to support employees’ financial wellbeing. These programs can include emergency loans, financial education, budgeting support, and employee assistance programs (EAPs). EAPs provide confidential counseling services, financial planning, and debt management support, helping employees navigate financial challenges with professional guidance.

Additionally, employers can offer flexible working hour schedules, paid leave, and comprehensive health insurance to support employees’ financial security. By providing these benefits, employers demonstrate a commitment to their employees’ financial wellbeing, fostering a supportive and caring workplace culture.

Normalizing the Conversation Around Financial Wellbeing

Normalizing the conversation around financial wellbeing is essential for reducing financial stress and improving employee wellbeing. Employers can play a significant role in normalizing the conversation by creating a culture that encourages open and honest discussions about financial wellbeing.

Here are some ways employers can normalize the conversation around financial wellbeing:

1. Provide a safe and confidential space for employees to discuss their financial concerns.
2. Offer financial education and resources that address common financial concerns, such as budgeting, saving, and debt management.
3. Encourage employees to share their financial success stories and tips.
4. Celebrate financial milestones, such as paying off debt or saving for a significant life event.
5. Provide access to financial counseling and coaching services.
6. Incorporate financial wellbeing into employee wellness programs and initiatives.

By normalizing the conversation around financial wellbeing, employers can help reduce financial stress, improve employee engagement, and increase overall wellbeing.

Measuring the Impact of Financial Wellbeing Support

Measuring the impact of financial wellbeing support is crucial to evaluate its effectiveness and make data-driven decisions. Employers can use various metrics, such as employee engagement surveys, financial literacy assessments, and productivity metrics, to gauge the success of their financial wellbeing initiatives.

Additionally, tracking employee retention rates, absenteeism, and presenteeism can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of financial wellbeing support. By regularly monitoring and evaluating these metrics, employers can refine their strategies and continuously improve employee financial wellbeing. This ongoing assessment ensures that financial wellbeing programs remain relevant and effective, ultimately contributing to a more engaged and productive workforce.

Further education: How Your Money Line will support your employees' financial wellbeing

Financial education is crucial for making informed money decisions. Consider providing employees access to financial wellness programs like Your Money Line. We offer customized financial coaching, budgeting tools, debt management plans, and more through our team of certified experts. Our qualified experts take time to listen, understand, and provide personalized guidance to help employees manage expenses, pay off debt, and invest in the future.

Providing debt relief, budgeting, and retirement planning services supported by cutting-edge software reduces financial stress. Financial wellness support not only demonstrates an employer's commitment to employee well-being but also plays a crucial role in creating a satisfied and productive workforce. Employees feel valued and supported, fueling loyalty, engagement, and productivity.

We integrate seamlessly with existing benefits programs while providing insights to help optimize offerings that best serve employees. Our platform measures program efficacy through surveys and metrics reporting for continual enhancement based on the changing needs of your employee population.

Interested? Watch a demo today. 

Conclusion: 

While increasing pay is often seen as the primary method of supporting employees financially, there are many other effective ways to help. By focusing on education, planning, and creating a supportive culture, you can substantially impact your employees' financial wellness. This benefits them individually and leads to a more engaged, productive, and loyal workforce.

Remember, financial wellness is a journey, not a destination. It requires ongoing effort and support. As an employer, you have a unique opportunity to guide and assist your employees on this path, leading to a healthier, happier workplace for everyone.