National Stress Awareness Day: The hidden strain of financial stress
Stress is part of many people’s daily lives, but its causes aren’t always visible. On National Stress Awareness Day (November 5), it’s worth pausing to reflect on one of the most persistent but least discussed pressures facing employees across the UK: financial stress.
Money worries are not just about numbers on a spreadsheet, they’re about how people feel day to day, how they sleep at night, and how confident they are about the future.
Hymans’ recent nationwide survey of more than 2,000 employees shows how widespread these concerns have become, and how closely they are tied to people’s ability to thrive at home and at work.
The reality for employees
Almost three-quarters of employees told us they regularly feel financial pressure. For many, it isn’t a passing worry, but a constant strain. Some live with the knowledge that even a small setback, an unexpected bill or a broken boiler, could tip them into difficulty.
- 39% said they don’t feel prepared for a financial emergency
- 30% wouldn’t be able to cover a £300 bill without borrowing or falling behind
- Just 8% have more than six months’ income saved
These are more than statistics. They represent households stretched thin, families making tough choices, and individuals carrying stress that doesn’t switch off when the working day begins.
How money worries follow people into work
It’s easy to imagine that employees leave their financial worries at home, but our survey makes clear that this isn’t the case. Many described how money concerns shaped their focus, energy and decisions at work.
- More than a third (38%) said financial stress had directly reduced their productivity
- A similar proportion (37%) reported taking time off in the past year because of financial pressures
- More than half (52%) have considered changing jobs for better pay or benefits
- Two in three (67%) said their engagement and motivation had been affected
The human impact of stress is felt most keenly by the individuals living it. But the ripple effects on attendance, energy, and even decisions about whether to stay with an employer, are also clear.
Making sense of the strain
To help give shape to what can otherwise feel like invisible pressure, Hymans developed the Employee Financial Stress Index (EFSI). It combines how often people feel financially stressed, how regularly they’ve experienced it, and how confident they feel about their future into a single score out of 100, with higher scores reflecting higher financial stress.
Across Hymans’ survey population, the average score was 52.3. On paper that may look like the middle ground, but underlying this score we found that 36% are financially vulnerable, 32% are cautiously coping and 32% are financially resilient. It’s clear a significant proportion of workers are struggling.
Why this matters
Behind every percentage is a person trying to juggle work, family, and the uncertainties of modern life. When financial stress becomes part of that daily equation, it can erode wellbeing, limit focus, and leave people feeling less able to cope with change.
For employers, these realities often show up in ways that are hard to ignore - dips in productivity, higher turnover, and line managers noticing colleagues struggling but unsure how to help.
Supporting people through financial stress
There is no single fix, but there are steps that can ease the strain and help people feel more secure:
- Listening and measuring to understand where financial pressures fall most heavily
- Making sure existing benefits and support are well communicated and easy to access
- Providing tailored support that reflects different needs at different life stages
- Encouraging open conversations, so money worries don’t remain hidden and isolating
For many employees, financial worries are one of the most significant sources of stress in their lives. They affect how people feel at home, how they show up at work, and how hopeful they are about the future.
By acknowledging the hidden cost of financial stress and responding with empathy and support, employers can make a real difference, helping individuals feel more secure, and in turn building healthier, more resilient workplaces.
Financial stress is complex, but employers have a real opportunity to make a difference. To explore more of our research, practical guidance, and ideas on building healthier more resilient workplaces, visit our Insights Hub.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Hymans Robertson
We're one of the longest established independent consulting and actuarial firms in the UK
