When rising money struggles leads to missing out on workplace support
Workers are experiencing growing financial pressures and a widening disconnect between their needs and the level of support they feel they are receiving in the workplace.
Our research found that almost half of workers (47%) say their biggest financial concern is not being able to save enough for the future, rising from 37% a year ago. Closely behind, 45% worry about not having enough savings for unexpected costs, while 29% are concerned about being unable to afford basic living costs and 26% are worried about being in debt.
It’s therefore unsurprising that 51% of workers say the main barrier to saving regularly is not having enough spare income.
The strain goes on
Financial pressures are also reshaping everyday behaviour. Almost half of workers (46%) are cutting back on non-essential spending, while 38% are shopping around for better deals, and 18% have taken on debt. Some are even working longer hours, perhaps to cope, with a quarter (25%) reporting they have worked more overtime.
“These pressures affect not only individuals but businesses too, through lower productivity, reduced engagement and increased absence,” said Jonathan Watts-Lay, director at WEALTH at work.
Financial strain is extending directly into the workplace. Workers admit that money worries affect their performance at work by causing increased stress levels (36%) and mental exhaustion (34%). With implications for workplace productivity including decreased motivation (23%), along with reduced focus and concentration (20%) and increased sick days (8%).
Despite these difficulties, many workers are prioritising building their financial resilience this year. Building an emergency fund has ranked as the number one financial priority for 37% of workers, closely followed by saving for short-term goals at 36%.
If workers had spare cash, 43% say they would put it into an emergency fund and 42% would save for future goals. Only 17% would spend spare cash on non-essential items, indicating that saving is taking priority over discretionary spending for workers.
Employer-backed savings plans
However, developing a regular savings habit remains a challenge for some, with 15% saying they forget to save consistently. The research also reveals clear preferences for the types of savings products workers value.
The top features include easy access to money (44%), higher interest rates (35%), easy management via an app or online (31%), consumer protection through regulation (28%), use of clear and jargon free terms (24%) and the ability to save directly from their salary (20%).
Together, these findings point to a strong appetite for employer-facilitated savings options, such as a payroll-integrated workplace ISA.
“What stands out is that many people don’t seek help from their employer - yet the workplace is uniquely positioned to offer the kind of practical, trustworthy guidance that people clearly need,” said Watts-Lay.
“The good news is that employers have a significant opportunity to support their people by offering practical, accessible financial wellbeing support, education and guidance, as well as access to regulated investment advice can make a meaningful difference to employees’ lives.”
Formal financial support
WEALTH at work’s research also finds that long‑term financial planning is another pressure point. Three in ten workers (30%) worry they won’t be able to afford to retire, and 32% say saving for retirement is one of their top priorities this year.
Despite the scale of financial difficulty highlighted in the research, many workers are not accessing formal financial support. The research shows that 30% of workers do not seek help from anywhere in particular when managing their money, while 29% rely primarily on friends or family. Only 10% speak to a financial adviser, and just 2% approach their employer for support.
This disconnect is reflected in overall employee sentiment, with 45%1 reporting that they feel unsupported by their employer when it comes to understanding their finances; rising from 39% a year ago. And when asked how they feel about their financial future, only 20% say they feel they are on track to meet their goals.
“This isn’t just about helping employees build better financial habits; it’s about improving overall wellbeing, reducing financial related anxiety, and ultimately enabling people to perform at their best,” said Watts-Lay.
“This isn’t just about helping employees build better financial habits; it’s about improving overall wellbeing, reducing financial related anxiety, and ultimately enabling people to perform at their best. At a time when financial worries are having such a tangible impact on day-to-day life and workplace productivity, financial wellbeing support is no longer a nice to have - it's essential.”
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, WEALTH at work
WEALTH at work is a leading financial wellbeing and retirement specialist - helping those in the workplace to improve their financial future.
