Getting into the savings habit: Why employers hold the key

Ahead of UK Savings Week, Tanya Jackson from the Building Societies Association takes a closer look at the surprising role employers can play in building savings habits.

When we talk about helping people save, we usually think about building societies, banks or government policy. But after spending the past three years working with researchers at the University of Bristol's Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC), I believe we're overlooking one of the biggest influences on our financial habits: the workplace.

For most people, saving isn't primarily about retirement, investing or big life goals. It's about having the confidence that when life throws up the unexpected, such as a broken boiler, a car repair or an emergency bill, there's something to fall back on.

The PFRC's Understanding the role of savings in promoting positive wellbeing (2024) research found that people who develop a regular savings habit are more optimistic about the future, sleep better and report higher levels of life satisfaction. They're also less likely to fall into financial difficulty and more likely to go on to achieve longer-term goals, including home ownership.

That's because saving is about much more than building a pot of money. Saving regularly creates confidence, resilience and a sense of control. The habit itself can be life changing.

Why employers matter

People don't necessarily need more information about savings accounts. What many need is help getting started, building confidence and turning good intentions into a regular habit.

That's where employers have a unique opportunity.

This isn't about becoming financial advisers or introducing new benefits. It's about recognising that workplaces shape behaviour every day. They are trusted by employees and influence conversations, establish social norms and encourage positive habits.

Many organisations already promote physical wellbeing, pension savings, volunteering and learning. Building a savings habit and stronger financial wellbeing deserves a place alongside them.

A simple way to get involved

Sometimes the biggest difference comes from something as simple as starting a conversation. UK Savings Week takes place on 21–27 September and gives employers an easy way to do exactly that.

We've created a free employer toolkit that makes it simple to support your employees, whether you're a large organisation or a small business. It includes ready-to-use internal communications, manager briefing notes, posters, email banners and digital assets that can be shared throughout the week.

You don't need to become financial experts. You simply need to help make savings feel normal, achievable and worth talking about.

The PFRC’s research clearly shows that developing a savings habit can have a profound impact on people's lives. Employers can't solve every financial challenge their colleagues face, but they can play an important role in helping people take a first step towards a stronger financial future.

That's exactly what UK Savings Week is all about.

Three simple ways to support your workforce during UK Savings Week:

1. Share practical savings tips
Use the ready-made internal communications pack to encourage colleagues to think about saving.

2. Make saving visible
Display UK Savings Week posters in communal areas and noticeboards to keep saving front of mind throughout the week.

3. Start a conversation
Use the email banners or add an article to a weekly newsletter to signpost employees to trusted sources of information.

To find out more visit the UK Savings Week website or email [email protected].

About UK Savings Week – 21-27 September 2026
UK Savings Week is a Building Societies Association led campaign with a clear social purpose of getting people engaged in saving, whether that is people who don’t have any savings to fall back on in an emergency, or people who have some savings but which could be working harder for them.

It’s a sad fact that 1 in 10 people in the UK have no savings. There is also more than £300 billion in accounts that do not pay any interest. UK Savings Week has two key ambitions: